ISM3011/CRN80999, Fall 2003: Exam 3

Name:___Insert your name here___       	e-mail:_______________________ 

Total points: ________  of  96                                   Grade: ___________________

Dr. Martin Hepp, mhepp@computer.org, phone (239) 590-7311

Important Note: 
(1)	Solve this exam without using the help of any external sources, especially the textbook or the online units. A distance exam requires extremely high standards of academic honesty. If you fail to comply, you risk failing the complete course and further consequences (see unit 1).
(2)	The total time available for this exam is 75 minutes. By submitting the file to me, you confirm to have spend not more than 75 minutes on this test. Any trace of excess working on the file will be considered as academic dishonesty, too.

1.	What is the key difference between a Management Information System and a Decision Support System? (3 points)
Insert your solution here
2.	How can an inventory management system provide input for dynamic pricing? (3 points)
Insert your solution here
3.	Explain the two terms “inference engine” and “knowledge base” in the context of expert systems. (6 points)
Insert your solution here
4.	How could an expert system be used to support the sales of garment products via web shops? (12 points)
Insert your solution here
5.	Explain the relationship between Transaction Processing Systems (TSPs), the database of valid transactions, and Management Information Systems (MIS). (9 points)
Insert your solution here
6.	Why does one need a domain expert and a knowledge engineer when developing expert systems? (6 points)
Insert your solution here
7.	Under what conditions is the development of an expert system likely to be worth the effort? (3 points)
Insert your solution here
8.	Is there a danger in becoming dependent on expert systems? If so, at what point does it become dangerous? If not, why not? (6 points)
Insert your solution here
9.	What is the key principle of prototyping as a technique in systems development? What are the advantages? How can it reduce effort and minimize wasted programming resources? How can it help to yield better systems? (12 points)
Insert your solution here
10.	What happens to a project if an activity that is part of the critical path is delayed by four hours? Is it possible to make a clear statement? (9 points)
Insert your solution here
11.	Name three typical reasons that initiate systems development. (6 points)
Insert your solution here
12.	Why is it important to identify and remove errors early in the system development cycle? (3 points)
Insert your solution here
13.	Name and explain the three types of structures allowed in structured programming. (6 points)
Insert your solution here
14.	Laws, regulations, and other environmental aspects of a firm change. Explain why off-the-shelf software (standard software) is a more effective way to manage the necessary program modifications. (12 points)
 Insert your solution here
GOOD LUCK!