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Tips for exams

Crispin Coombs

Topics covered


All topics may appear in the exam unless it is explicitly stated that the topic is not in the exam on these slides Key Issues and Trends in IT Database Management Systems Data Warehousing Customer Relationship Management Business Process Re-engineering Systems Integration & ERP

     

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Topics covered
  

Successful Systems Development Strategic Information Systems Planning Realising the Benefits of Information Systems Projects


I will not ask you in the exam to draw an applied Benefits Dependency Network for a specific case study example (e.g. last exercise in benefits lecture). However, if there was a question on benefits realization I would expect you to have a broad understanding of the main elements of a BDN (e.g. drivers, investment objectives, and so on) and you could illustrate how these fit together in a simple diagram.

Integrated Manufacturing Information Systems


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Exam structure
    

Any 3 questions from a choice of 5 2 hours All questions carry equal marks Allow 40 mins per question Question style - all structured questions e.g.
  

a) do something [marks] b) do something else [marks] c) do a bit more [marks]

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Suggestions for Revision




Be selective in your reading




Find examples, note citations (e.g. Bocji, 2009) to demonstrate your reading in your exam answers Don t get overly focused on past questions But have some understanding of everything

Refer to past papers




Select your best topics




 


Test yourself Revise in class exercises


Look for examples that you could mention in the exam to show your wider reading
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Suggestions for Revision




I don t give out model answers If students want to draft a model answer to a past exam question I am happy to discuss it with them Requires you to make an appointment with me via email (and with sufficient notice e.g. 3 working days!)

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Writing everything you know about a topic

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to answer the question. For example: Too many systems development projects end in failure. Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a)

b)

c)

The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihood of a successful systems development project [40 marks] The impacts that an information system can have on organisations and [40 marks] Explain the implications of these impacts for the successful development and implementation of information systems [20 marks]

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to answer the question Make sure you focus on each requirement and break up your answer into clear corresponding sections. Don t write a continuous stream of writing and then try and stick a) b) and c) on afterwards it doesn t work. So you need to plan your answer so you know what points you want to get across for each section. Think also about the weighting of the marks. The balance could be something like (depending on handwriting style) a) 1.5 sides, b) 1.5 sides c) 0.75 sides to reflect the mark weightings.
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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to answer the question Too many systems development projects end in failure. Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a)

b)

c)

The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihood of a successful systems development project [40 marks] The impacts that an information system can have on organisations and [40 marks] Explain the implications of these impacts for the successful development and implementation of information systems [20 marks]
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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to answer the question Too many systems development projects end in failure. Write a report for senior managers that outlines:
a)

b)

c)

The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihood of a successful systems development project [40 marks] The impacts that an information system can have on organisations and [40 marks] Explain the implications of these impacts for the successful development and implementation of information systems [20 marks]

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Answering a completely different question (that wasn t asked) You may know everything about an apple, but if I asked you to tell me about an orange, I want to know about an orange. Writing about an apple will not get many marks.

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Common Pitfalls in Exams





Failing to explain answers sufficiently


For example, say this information was put on a lecture slide. Recommended Strategies for Avoiding Information System Failure Strategy Reason yCan overcome resistance to change yMore accurate user requirements yIncreases quality of system yIncrease user commitment to system success

User Involvement

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to explain answers sufficiently The manager could increase the chance of the system being a success by involving the users by creating user groups or asking for user representatives.

* A basic answer, some marks as correct, but only demonstrates correct recall. Why would involving users make it a success?

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Failing to explain answers sufficiently The manager could increase the chance of the system being a success by involving the users by creating user groups or asking for user representatives. User involvement would help overcome resistance to change and improve the quality of the system. * Going bit further, with more explanation. Im now wondering why would user involvement overcome resistance to change etc?

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




The full explanation. This is an example of the best answer, assuming the reader doesn t know anything about the topic and clearly showing the implications and the impact of user involvement demonstrates more understanding, more critical thinking and therefore gets more marks.

it

The manager could increase the chance of the system being a success by involving the users by creating user groups or asking for user representatives. User involvement would help overcome resistance to change and improve the quality of the system. Resistance to change would be reduced because the users would feel more engaged with the system and positive towards it. System quality is likely to be high because the users can ensure it meets their needs.
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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Ignoring the context


Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarket is considering implementing a new information system, however she is aware that many systems development projects have ended in failure. She has asked you to write a report to address the following issues: With reference to specific examples, what activities should be employed to reduce the likelihood of systems failure? [50%]

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Common Pitfalls in Exams




Ignoring the context


Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarket is considering implementing a new information system, however she is aware that many systems development projects have ended in failure. She has asked you to write a report to address the following issues: With reference to specific examples, what activities should be employed to reduce the likelihood of systems failure? [50%]

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Common Pitfalls in Exams


 

Ignoring the context So your answer must have some links to a supermarket environment. Just providing a generic list of best practice factors would get some marks, but the student should really think about how the factors would apply in a supermarket e.g. Users may be checkout staff, stock control would be a particularly important element compare that to if the context had been an accounting firm?
The question is demanding examples so you should be ready to provide some e.g. From your reading, work experience etc.

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Exam tactics
      

Plan your answer Always include an introduction and conclusion Make it easy to mark use headings, sub headings etc. Keep to time Keep your answer focused on the question asked Refer to the context of question Explain your answers fully assume I don t know anything about the topic Use examples to demonstrate (ideally real world)
 

If drawing on own experience make it clear Include citations to refer to specific articles you have read
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Exam tactics
 

Make sure you have some knowledge of all topics Focus on the exercises in handouts and use these to guide your wider reading Make sure you have read all the relevant articles as indicated on learn as well as doing some wider reading and being able to draw on your own (e.g. placement) experiences Very best of luck

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