Nassarawa State University, Keffi

                                                    Faculty of Administration 

                                            Department of Business Administration 

                                            Course:   Management  Information System   (Bus 816)

                                          Likely exams Questions and Answers

Question 1: Outline the information system infrastructure 

Information systems infrastructure refers to a range of devices and technologies, applications and systems, standards and conventions that the individual user or the collective rely on to work on different organizational tasks and processes.  These include;

Hardware: This means the machinery and equipment.  

Software:  This implies the computer programs and the manual  if any that support them. 

Data:  Data are facts that are used by system to produce useful information. 

Procedures:  Procedures are the policies that govern the operation of information system

People:  Every system needs people if it is to be useful. 

Question 2:

The three level of management have responsibility for performing different functions and require varied information to take decisions.  Explain the information needs of these levels of management and the information system requirement 

Top Level Management:  Consist of the board of director, general manager and other senior executives.  They fixed the objectives of the organization such as formulating policies.  They also take important decisions to achieve the objectives.  They give out instructions lower level management.   To support their strategic planning functions, they use Executive support information system and decision support system. 

An executive information system (EIS), also known as an executive support system (ESS), is a type of management support system that facilitates and supports senior executive information and decision-making needs. It provides easy access to internal and external information relevant to organizational goals. Decision support systems (DSS) are interactive information systems that assist a decision maker in approaching ill-structured problems by offering analytical models and access to databases. These systems are designed to support the decision-making process, rather than to render a decision. 

Middle Level Management:  Consists of head of functional departments and are responsible to top management.  They are concern with the organization and direction function of management. They interpret the programs and policies communicate by the top level management.  They organize and manage their department.  Management information and reporting systems (MIS) are systems that present mid level and senior managers through periodic, often summarized information that help them determine performance. 

Lower Level Management:  These are supervisory management and they include supervisors, foremen, gang boss accountants, officers, sales officers etc.  They are more concern with the direction and control function of management.  They plan for a day or week, organize the activities of his group, allot work to the workers under him, issue instructions at the site, motivate the employees, arrange managerial, machines, tools  etc.  They use Transaction process systems (TPS).  A transaction process system (TPS) is an information processing system for business transactions involving the collection, modification and retrieval of all transaction data. Characteristics of a TPS include performance, reliability and consistency.

Question 3:  Explain the responsibilities of a system designer

Solution: Systems designers work with organizations to understand the problems with their information systems and develop ways to improve processes. Problem-solving skills are critical to helping systems designers analyze the cause of the problem and find solutions using their technical knowledge.

System designers create detailed design documentation for the development of computer systems in accordance to business needs.

System designers are logical, analytical, and have a high-level knowledge of IT and computer engineering.

• Ability to solve complex problems with an analytical, systematic approach

• Ability to communicate and work well with others to ensure functionality in their design

• Have a keen attention to detail and are highly organised – especially when planning out a complex system design and the many components involved

• Exert strong leadership skills for delegating tasks or directing the work of others

• Able to meet strict deadlines

• Have expertise in information technology and computing systems

Question 4: What form of analysis are undertaken under feasibility study?

Solution: A feasibility study contains a detailed analysis of what's needed to complete the proposed project. The report may include a description of the new product or venture, a market analysis, the technology and labor needed, as well as the sources of financing and capital. It identifies the possibility of improving an existing system, developing a new system, and produce refined estimates for further development of system. It is used to obtain the outline of the problem and decide whether feasible or appropriate solution exists or not.

Question 5: What do you understand by the term functional perspective in information system classification?

Solution: A functional perspective: Identifying systems by their major business function. A constituency perspective: Identifying systems in terms of the major organizational groups that they serve. The sections that follow classify it with reference to four perspectives, each of which takes a particular view on the nature of ISs and organizations, and hence on the effects of ISs within organizations. These four perspectives are the determinist, mechanistic, systems, and interactionist approaches.

Question 6: Explain a typical information system for a production and manufacturing organization

Solution: There are numerous information technologies that have been used for production operations. They have constituted main modules of production information systems such as production planning system, quality management system, procurement/inventory control system, cost management system, and product development system. Manufacturing information systems are integral to the modern manufacturing facility. They are computer software platforms used to track to and document the transformation of raw materials to finished goods. With the implementation of a manufacturing and production information system, facility managers and decision makers can understand how conditions in the production process can be optimized and improved for increased output. The manufacturing information system operates in real-time, covering the full range of production elements in the process, including machines, inputs, personnel, and more.  With comprehensive manufacturing information system software, facility managers have a complete view into the entire production process, providing them with real data, instead of guesswork and wasting time trying to pinpoint a problem. In addition, the manufacturing execution system can also play a key role in automation and ensuring the proper sequencing of both manufacturing and business processes.