1. What strategies can an organization use to respond to threats from competitors or take advantage of opportunities? How does an organization’s mission statement help to guide them in identifying and pursuing these strategies?
Porter’s Five Forces Model shows the factors that contribute to competition(pg568). A clear mission statement will help a company respond to opportunities and threats effectively.
2. The decision to create an information system is sometimes driven by new technology “that is, new hardware or software that makes it possible to automate a system or process” while others are driven by users’ the people who will ultimately use the information system. What are the pros and cons of each approach?
If new technology is the driving force behind creating an information system, there may be resistance from the users. If the users have a level of aptitude with the current technology and have to be trained , there can be push back. In addition, New technology may not have all the bugs worked out causing the implentation to be problematic. Once these two obstacles are overcome, the new system could be more efficient and effective than an old outdated system.
User driven system change could be costly since most users will want the most advanced and automated system available without really weighing the benefits against the cost.
3. Recall a time when you were frustrated by the way a program or operating system was functioning. How did you solve the problem? For example, did you use a help desk, user manual, or solve the problem on your own? Could the design of the program or operating system itself cause the problem? If so, what changes would you recommend to make the solution to your problem more obvious.
I have been frustrated many times. I have used manuals, help desks, common sense, co-workers and internet searches to solve problems. Most help desk centers are very ineffective in my experience. I decided to take matters into my own hands and take these classes so that I will not be so dependent on others to solve my problems. I also got rid of dial up!
4. Some users have suggested that user documentation should be developed before the system, and then used as the blueprint for system design. How would this approach change the development process and the system itself?
I am amazed that this is not the protocal. So many times, as a user, I had to wonder what geek wrote the program without finding out what the user really needed to perform their function. The project manager must have a great wealth of knowledge rather than developing the system around what they know best…..sounds really hard.
