Tutorial 1

MN611 – System Architecture

Answer the following Questions:

1. Define System Engineering with an example?

2. What is the difference between System Engineering and Software
Engineering?
3. Discuss how socio-technical stack fits in system engineering?
4. Define the different categories of System in your own words and provide an
relevant example for each category?
5. Explain the different stages of system engineering. Provide an example which
includes all the stages?
6. Define Software Architecture and its components?
7. By providing an example, explain service-oriented architecture?
8. Explain how service-oriented architecture fits in client-server architecture
pattern?
9. Define interoperability in terms of service?
10. How can we consider software as a service? What are the key elements of
SaaS?
11. What is included within a system’s boundaries?
12. What role does a system perform within the User’s organization?
13. What mission applications does the system perform?
14. WHAT results-oriented outcomes does the system produce?
15. Explain the relationship between Software as a Service (SaaS) and Service
Oriented Architecture (SOA)?
16. Explain why it may be necessary to design the system architecture before the
specifications are written.
17. What are the benefits and disadvantages of object oriented techniques?
18. What are the most important distinctions between services and software
components?
19. Explain what is meant by a ‘compensation action’ and, using an example,
show why these actions may have to be included in workflows.
20. Giving reasons for your answer, suggest two important types of application
where you would not recommend the use of service-oriented architecture.
 Tutorial 1
MN611 – System Architecture

21. Discuss whether professional engineers should be certified in the same way as
doctors or lawyers?
22. Apart from the challenges of heterogeneity, business and social change and
trust and security, identify other problems and challenges that software
engineering is likely to face in the 21st century (hint: think about the
environment).
23. What are the four important attributes that all professional software should
have? Suggest four other attributes that may sometimes be significant.
24. What is the most important difference between generic software product
development and custom software development? What might this mean in
practice for users of generic software products?
25. For the example of the vacation package reservation service, design a
workflow that will book ground transportation for a group of passengers
arriving at an airport. They should be given the option of booking either a taxi
or a hire car. You may assume that the taxi and car hire companies offer web
services to make a reservation.

Case Study Approach:

Read the following case “When Health Information Systems Fail” and provide the
reasons in the failure of health care system.