WGU C724 Information Systems Management
Comprehensive Study Guide | Actual verified Study
complete Solutions | 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
C724 Information Systems Management – Detailed Study Guide
This study guide expands on the review questions from the C724 Information Systems
Management course, providing definitions, explanations, and subject overviews for each topic.
Chapter 1: Information Systems Foundations
1-1 How are information systems transforming business?
• Three major new information system trends:
1. Cloud Computing – delivering services (software, storage, computing power)
over the internet.
2. Big Data and Analytics – analyzing massive data sets for insights and decision-
making.
3. Mobile and Social Platforms – smartphones, apps, and social media enabling
new business models.
• Digital Firm Characteristics:
o Core business processes are digitally enabled.
o Significant business relationships are digitally mediated.
o Key corporate assets (intellectual property, financial, human resources) managed
digitally.
• Globalization Challenges & Opportunities:
o Challenges: cultural differences, time zones, communication barriers, global
competition.
o Opportunities: larger markets, global talent pool, 24/7 operations, cost
efficiencies.
1-2 What is an information system?
• Definition: An information system collects, processes, stores, and distributes information
to support decision-making, coordination, analysis, and control.
• Activities performed: Input → Processing → Output → Feedback.
• Dimensions of IS:
o Organization: people, structure, business processes.
, o Management: decision-making, coordination, leadership.
o Technology: hardware, software, databases, networks.
• Data vs. Information:
o Data = raw facts.
o Information = data processed into meaningful form.
• Information Systems Literacy vs. Computer Literacy:
o IS Literacy = understanding people, organizations, and tech dimensions.
o Computer Literacy = knowledge of IT (hardware/software).
, • Complementary Assets: Additional organizational investments required for IT to
provide value (e.g., business processes, training, supportive culture).
1-3 Disciplines in IS Study
• Technical Approach: computer science, management science, operations research.
• Behavioral Approach: psychology, sociology, economics.
• Sociotechnical Perspective: optimal organizational performance requires both technical
systems and social systems to work together.
Chapter 2: Information Systems in the Enterprise
2-1 Business Processes
• Definition: A set of logically related tasks/behaviors that organizations develop to
produce outcomes.
• Relationship with IS: IS automate, monitor, and improve business processes.
2-2 Systems for Management Groups
• Transaction Processing Systems (TPS):
o Handle routine, day-to-day operations (sales, payroll).
• Management Information Systems (MIS):
o Provide summaries/reports from TPS for decision-making.
• Decision Support Systems (DSS):
o Use data and models to support semi-structured decisions.
• Executive Support Systems (ESS):
o Provide senior executives with dashboards, forecasts, external data.
• Enterprise Applications: ERP, SCM, CRM, KMS integrate processes across the
enterprise.
• Intranets/Extranets: Internal networks (intranet) and extended access to
partners/customers (extranet).
2-3 Collaboration & Social Business
• Collaboration: Working together to achieve goals.
• Social Business: Using social platforms for communication and innovation.
• Benefits: productivity, quality, innovation, customer service.
• Tools: Email, IM, intranets, wikis, video conferencing, enterprise social networks.
2-4 Role of the IS Function
Comprehensive Study Guide | Actual verified Study
complete Solutions | 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
C724 Information Systems Management – Detailed Study Guide
This study guide expands on the review questions from the C724 Information Systems
Management course, providing definitions, explanations, and subject overviews for each topic.
Chapter 1: Information Systems Foundations
1-1 How are information systems transforming business?
• Three major new information system trends:
1. Cloud Computing – delivering services (software, storage, computing power)
over the internet.
2. Big Data and Analytics – analyzing massive data sets for insights and decision-
making.
3. Mobile and Social Platforms – smartphones, apps, and social media enabling
new business models.
• Digital Firm Characteristics:
o Core business processes are digitally enabled.
o Significant business relationships are digitally mediated.
o Key corporate assets (intellectual property, financial, human resources) managed
digitally.
• Globalization Challenges & Opportunities:
o Challenges: cultural differences, time zones, communication barriers, global
competition.
o Opportunities: larger markets, global talent pool, 24/7 operations, cost
efficiencies.
1-2 What is an information system?
• Definition: An information system collects, processes, stores, and distributes information
to support decision-making, coordination, analysis, and control.
• Activities performed: Input → Processing → Output → Feedback.
• Dimensions of IS:
o Organization: people, structure, business processes.
, o Management: decision-making, coordination, leadership.
o Technology: hardware, software, databases, networks.
• Data vs. Information:
o Data = raw facts.
o Information = data processed into meaningful form.
• Information Systems Literacy vs. Computer Literacy:
o IS Literacy = understanding people, organizations, and tech dimensions.
o Computer Literacy = knowledge of IT (hardware/software).
, • Complementary Assets: Additional organizational investments required for IT to
provide value (e.g., business processes, training, supportive culture).
1-3 Disciplines in IS Study
• Technical Approach: computer science, management science, operations research.
• Behavioral Approach: psychology, sociology, economics.
• Sociotechnical Perspective: optimal organizational performance requires both technical
systems and social systems to work together.
Chapter 2: Information Systems in the Enterprise
2-1 Business Processes
• Definition: A set of logically related tasks/behaviors that organizations develop to
produce outcomes.
• Relationship with IS: IS automate, monitor, and improve business processes.
2-2 Systems for Management Groups
• Transaction Processing Systems (TPS):
o Handle routine, day-to-day operations (sales, payroll).
• Management Information Systems (MIS):
o Provide summaries/reports from TPS for decision-making.
• Decision Support Systems (DSS):
o Use data and models to support semi-structured decisions.
• Executive Support Systems (ESS):
o Provide senior executives with dashboards, forecasts, external data.
• Enterprise Applications: ERP, SCM, CRM, KMS integrate processes across the
enterprise.
• Intranets/Extranets: Internal networks (intranet) and extended access to
partners/customers (extranet).
2-3 Collaboration & Social Business
• Collaboration: Working together to achieve goals.
• Social Business: Using social platforms for communication and innovation.
• Benefits: productivity, quality, innovation, customer service.
• Tools: Email, IM, intranets, wikis, video conferencing, enterprise social networks.
2-4 Role of the IS Function
