W1-2-60-1-6

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF
AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

University Examinations 2012/2013

SECOND YEAR SECOND SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE STAGE I
SECOND SEMESTER BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BIT 2112/ICS 2210: SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

DATE: AUGUST, 2012 TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question ONE and Any Other TWO Questions.

Question One – 30 marks

a) Implementing a new system requires adequate planning. In order to achieve this the
following techniques are used to ensure a smooth changeover:

i. Direct changeover
ii. Parallel running
iii. Pilot scheme

Discuss each of these techniques giving the circumstances under which each approach is
suitable. [9 marks]

b) i. Explain the use of data flow diagramming technique as an important tool in

systems analysis. [6 marks]

ii. Every system undergoes some form of maintenance in order to make it more
responsible to the needs of the user. Discuss. [5 marks]

c) The following charting techniques help the systems analyst to record information about
the system during the analysis phase:

i. Organization chart [2 marks]

ii. Activity chart [2 marks]

1
 iii. Procedure chart [2 marks]

d) Define the following terms:

i. System [2 marks]

ii. System boundary [2 marks]

iii. System constraint [2 marks]

Question Two – 20 marks

a) Systems development is a stages process in which deliverables are produced at the end of
each stage. At the end of the project definition phase a Terms of Reference (TOR)
document is prepared. Propose a typical structure of a TOR document and discuss its
contents in detail. [10 marks]

b) i. Describe the components of a data flow diagram. [6 marks]

ii. Differentiate between process modeling and data modeling. [4 marks]

Question Three – 20 marks

a) Advances in programming languages (e.g 4th generation) have made it possible to

develop systems using prototyping techniques.

Require:

i. Describe prototyping in the context of systems development. [4 marks]

ii. List aid briefly describe 3 benefits which can arise from the use of prototyping
and three difficulties which it may present. [8 marks]

b) List and briefly explain four strengths and four weaknesses of the traditional systems
development life cycle. [8 marks]

Question Four – 20 marks

a) i. List five objectives of system analysis and design. [5 marks]

ii. List at least five characteristics of a good system analysis. [5 marks]

b) i. What do you understand by “information systems?” [4 marks]

ii. List and briefly explain three types of information systems. [6 marks]