Professional Issues in IT. 5 August Marking Scheme

Transcription

1 Professional Issues in IT 5 August 2015 Marking Scheme This marking scheme has been prepared as a guide only to markers. This is not a set of model answers, or the exclusive answers to the questions, and there will frequently be alternative responses which will provide a valid answer. Markers are advised that, unless a question specifies that an answer be provided in a particular form, then an answer that is correct (factually or in practical terms) must be given the available marks. If there is doubt as to the correctness of an answer, the relevant NCC Education materials should be the first authority. Throughout the marking, please credit any valid alternative point. Where markers award half marks in any part of a question, they should ensure that the total mark recorded for the question is rounded up to a whole mark. Page 1 of 16

2 Answer ALL questions Question 1 Home Roofing Services provide annual cleaning and inspections of roofs and drainage. The company also replace a property s roof before the end of its lifespan as part of an inclusive monthly contract. Home Roofing Services want you to build a new web site built to advertise their products and services. They require an online subscription system and pages with photographs of their roofing products and testimonials from satisfied customers. As a developer, you mainly have experience of developing static websites, but have no experience of setting up subscription or other payment systems. a) State THREE (3) advantages of accepting the contract. 3 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks: Opportunity to gain experience in new areas Opportunity to enhance reputation Opportunity to increase stakeholder confidence Opportunity to attract new clients Opportunity for increased profits b) State TWO (2) disadvantages of accepting the contract. 2 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: Possibility of being unable to provide the subscription payment system Risk of undermining current market position Risk of legal repercussions if project is not successful Question 1 continues on next page Page 2 of 16

3 c) After you start work on the website, you are contacted by a former customer of Home Roofing Services. This customer informs you that Home Roofing Services has lied about their services and are guilty of misrepresenting the services provided. The former customer claims to have evidence that Home Roofing Services do not undertake any of the work they claim to perform even though they receive a customer s money. This former customer wishes to remain anonymous and has not given you permission to mention them to Home Roofing Services. 5 Briefly describe THREE (3) ethical and legal issues brought about by this new information and make a recommendation as to how to proceed with the project given this information. The maximum number of marks awarded to this project is 5. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks: Ethical and legal issues: Unethical and illegal for Home Roofing Services to misrepresent the service they are providing. Unethical for the developer to provide information about services if they are misleading and not being performed by Home Roofing Services. It would be unethical to tell Home Roofing Services the source of your suspicions since they asked to remain anonymous: you will therefore have to do some of your own investigation in order to broach the topic. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: Recommendations: Proceed by approaching Home Roofing Services seeking evidence that they carry out the work they claim to. Agree to continue with the project if they can provide satisfactory evidence that they perform the work they are contracted for (e.g. job logs, rotas, invoices from suppliers showing they purchase new roofing materials at the expected rate for the number of customers ) Refuse to continue with the project if they cannot provide evidence that they perform the services they advertise. Total: 10 Page 3 of 16

4 Question 2 a) Identify at which phase of the Project Management life cycle the Acceptance Plan is created and describe the purpose of the plan. 4 The maximum number of marks awarded to the question is 4. Award 1 mark for correctly identifying the phase: Phase: Planning Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks: Purpose: Provide measureable terms for a project to be judged against Ensure success criteria measureable Ensure success criteria realistic Identify whether success criteria listed define total criteria that project success will be measured against b) An important aspect of Project Management is the ability to effectively manage change. Outline TWO (2) objectives of change management and briefly describe the process. 6 The maximum number of marks awarded to the question is 6. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: Aim Minimise the impact of any change on a project Manage client expectations throughout the project Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks: Process: Identify the required change Identify measurable potential effect(s) of the change Control the process of implementing the change Record change details Manage any impact Review the decision Total: 10 Page 4 of 16

5 Question 3 a) Describe the following risk response strategies: i. Prevention 2 ii. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: Aims to eliminate the risk from occurring Can only occur if risk management is very pro-active. Risk prevention is very difficult Acceptance Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: 2 Accepts the consequences arising from an occurring risk with no attempt to minimise or prevent it. Usually restricted to small, low impact risks. b) Below is a table that contains details about four identified risks. Complete a Risk Assessment Map that illustrates this information. 6 Risk Occurrence % Impact % 1. Unrealistic customer 25% 20% expectations 2. Staff leaving prior to 10% 35% project completion 3. Inadequate budget 15% 60% 4. Inexperienced project team 20% 80% Question 3 continues on next page Page 5 of 16

6 Potential Scale of Impact Small Moderat e Larg e 3, High Medium Low Likelihood of Occurrence The maximum number of marks awarded to this question is 6. Award 1 mark for correctly labelling axes and 1 mark for dividing the table into 9 segments. Award 1 mark for each risk placed in correct segment (there are 4 risks) Note: Credit valid alternative maps. Total: 10 Page 6 of 16

7 Question 4 a) Identify THREE (3) stages of the IT Project Management Life Cycle and briefly outline the main focus of each stage. 6 The maximum number of marks awarded for the question is 6. Credit any three out of four stages. Award 1 mark identifying each stage up to a maximum of 3 marks. Award 1 mark for outlining each stage up to a maximum of 3 marks. b) Gantt charts are often used to support the management of projects. Briefly state what is shown in a Gantt chart and provide TWO (2) reasons why it is viewed as a good communication tool. 4 Award up to 2 marks for the description: Description: Gantt charts are similar to horizontal bar charts (1 mark) They show start and end points of tasks and what staff and resources have been assigned to the tasks (1 mark) Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Why good for communication: Simple visual aid Easy to read for non-technical staff Total: 10 Page 7 of 16

8 Question 5 a) Whilst installing new database software for a corporate client, the upgrade crashes. Given that the Big Bang Installation strategy was used, the old system had been removed prior to installation beginning, which means that there is no available system. The software is essential to the organisation. As a result, the client is losing productivity and business due to the omission of working software. 4 Choose an installation method in preference to Big Bang that you would adopt in this scenario. You should describe your chosen method and provide TWO (2) advantages of your chosen method for this scenario. The maximum number of marks awarded to this question is 4. Award 1 mark for the choosing an appropriate method, and award 1 mark for the description: Recommended method: Parallel installation Description: The new system runs side-by-side with the old system Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks: Advantages for this scenario: Errors and issues can be identified whilst the stable old system is still running Minimised the impact of any errors in the new system Ensures there is a back-up in place for this critical software so that problems with the new installation don t affect the retailers ability to process transactions Question 5 continues on next page Page 8 of 16

9 b) State THREE (3) potential recommendations for resolving this situation. You should explain your rationale for each of the recommended actions. 6 Award 1 mark or each bullet point up to a maximum of 6 marks Action: Reinstall the old system Rationale: Probably the easiest and/ or fastest way for the company to get back to business Action: Buy in deployment expertise Rationale: Recommended by IBMs Software Deployment Model and may minimise downtime Action: Temporarily move to a paper-based approach Rationale: Paper-based records could work for this as a temporary fix Action: Attempt to reinstall the new system Rationale: It is possible the crash was an exceptional event and the software will install correctly when reattempted. This would be faster than reinstalling the old system, fixing the new system, then reinstalling the new system. Total: 10 Page 9 of 16

10 Question 6 In 2000, IEEE established the Evolution Software Lifecycle for software deployment and maintenance. Identify and briefly describe each of the FIVE (5) stages of the Evolution Software Lifecycle. 10 The maximum number of marks awarded to this question is 10. Award 1 mark for identifying each stage and 1 mark for each accurate description Initiation: This is the software launch. Evolution: The evolution stage involves fault-fixing and enhancing of the software. Servicing: Essential maintenance operations to keep the software working. Phase-out: Software is being phased out and replaced. It may continue to be used but maintenance support is no longer provided at this stage. Closure: Completes the lifecycle. The software is completely shut down and no longer used. Total: 10 Page 10 of 16

11 Question 7 a) IT Service Management is a complex and demanding function. Briefly describe what is meant by the term service management. 3 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks: Common understanding between customer and provider Managing service level expectations Delivering and supporting desired results b) IT Service Management makes use of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Define the term key performance indicator and briefly describe THREE (3) categories of KPIs. 7 The maximum number of marks awarded to the question is 7. Award 1 mark for the definition: Description: KPIs are measurements of performance used to measure critical success factors Award 1 mark for identifying a category and 1 mark for a valid description up to a maximum of 6 marks Quantitative: KPIs are represented as a number Practical: KPIs that align with current organisational processes Direction: KPIs that measure organisational progress Action: KPIs that are controlled by the organisation so that change is achievable Total: 10 Page 11 of 16

12 Question 8 a) In terms of software quality, describe the following terms: i. Software assurance 2 ii. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Software assurance: ensuring the correct processes are embedded into the development process to ensure best practice to ensure a quality product Software conformance Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Software conformance: ensuring software is developed in line with the requirements specification ensuring all requested functionality is provided 2 b) Ensuring quality has associated costs, but not ensuring quality can also be expensive. Cost Of Quality (COQ) can be considered in terms of the cost of conformance and the cost of non-conformance. Explain what is meant by each of the following terms and provide ONE (1) example of each cost: i. Conformance 3 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Conformance description: Producing and delivering software that fits requirements Producing and delivering software that is fit for use Award 1 mark for the example: Cost of conformance example: Spending more on staffing costs in order to get the last few requirements implemented prior to release Question 8 continues on next page Page 12 of 16

13 ii. Non-conformance Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Non-conformance: Failure of ownership Unfulfilled quality requirements Award 1 mark for the example: Cost of non-conformance example: Client withholds final payment due to software not meeting requirements Client sues for breach of requirements specification 3 Total: 10 Page 13 of 16

14 Question 9 a) Service Level Agreements are used in IT Service Management as a formal contract between the company and the client. State FIVE (5) types of information that should be stipulated in a Service Level Agreement. 5 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 5 marks: Required service levels Expected service quality Penalties for not meeting required service levels or service quality Ownership of materials Measureable performance Responsibilities of each party for monitoring, revising or evaluating current SLAs b) Produce a diagram of the five step Service Level Agreement process. 5 Award 1 mark for each stage included in the correct order, up to a maximum of 5 marks Note: Deduct ½ marks for a stage in the incorrect order. Total 10 Page 14 of 16

15 Question 10 a) Describe the activities carried out during the following IBM Software Deployment Method phases: i. Prepare for deployment 4 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 4 marks Create software deployment team Review documents Develop high level deployment plan Establish deployment partnership ii. Refine and promote plan 3 Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 3 marks Refine deployment plan Finalise deployment plan Launch deployment b) Describe the IBM Deployment best practice principle Centralise software fulfilment and provide TWO (2) advantages of following this principle. 3 Award 1 mark for an accurate description: Description: Assigning an individual responsible for receiving and tracking of software, plus distributing or overseeing the distribution of software. Award 1 mark for each bullet point up to a maximum of 2 marks Advantages: Efficient and effective software deployment Greater monitoring and control Total: 10 End of Examination Paper Page 15 of 16

16 Learning Outcomes matrix Question Learning Outcomes assessed 1 1, 4 Yes 2 2 Yes 3 4 Yes 4 2 Yes 5 3 Yes 6 3 Yes 7 5 Yes 8 6 Yes 9 5 Yes 10 3 Yes Grade descriptors Marker can differentiate between varying levels of achievement Learning Outcome Pass Merit Distinction Understand the social, ethical and professional issues essential to the IT profession Demonstrate adequate level of understanding Demonstrate robust level of understanding Understand a project management life cycle and associated techniques Understand how to deploy a software application Understand risks and the management of them in software projects Understand the principles and techniques of IT service management Be able to design software quality policies and procedures Demonstrate adequate level of understanding Demonstrate adequate deployment of an application Demonstrate adequate level of understanding Demonstrate adequate level of understanding Demonstrate ability to perform the task Demonstrate robust level of understanding Demonstrate sound and appropriate deployment of an application Demonstrate robust level of understanding Demonstrate robust level of understanding Demonstrate ability to perform the task consistently well Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding Demonstrate highly effective deployment of an application Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding Demonstrate highly comprehensive level of understanding Demonstrate ability to perform the task to the highest standard Page 16 of 16