lecture 10 tips for exams

8/3/2019 Lecture 10 Tips for Exams

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Tips for exams

Crispin Coombs


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Topics covered

All topics may appear in the exam unless it is explicitlystated 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 Iwould expect you to have a broad understanding of the mainelements of a BDN (e.g. drivers, investment objectives, andso on) and you could illustrate how these fit together in asimple 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) todemonstrate your reading in your exam answers

Refer to past papers Dont get overly focused on past questions

Select your best topics

But have some understanding of everything

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 dont 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 viaemail (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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Failing to answer the question. For example:

Too many systems development projects end in failure.Write a report for senior managers that outlines:

a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihoodof a successful systems development project [40 marks]

b) The impacts that an information system can have onorganisations and [40 marks]

c) Explain the implications of these impacts for the successfuldevelopment and implementation of information systems[20 marks]


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Failing to answer the question

Make sure you focus on each requirement and break upyour answer into clear corresponding sections. Dont writea continuous stream of writing and then try and stick a) b)

and c) on afterwards it doesnt work. So you need toplan your answer so you know what points you want to getacross for each section.

Think also about the weighting of the marks. The balancecould be something like (depending on handwriting style)a) 1.5 sides, b) 1.5 sides c) 0.75 sides to reflect the markweightings.


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a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase thelikelihood of a successful systems development project [40marks]


c) Explain the implications of these impacts for the successfuldevelopment and implementation of information systems[20 marks]


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a) The key steps needed to be taken to increase the likelihoodof a successful systems development project [40 marks]


c) Explain the implications of these impacts for thesuccessful development and implementation of informationsystems [20 marks]


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Answering a completely different question (that wasntasked)

You may know everything about an apple, but if I askedyou 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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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

User Involvement yCan overcome resistance to change

yMore accurate user requirements

yIncreases quality of system

yIncrease user commitment to system

success


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Failing to explain answers sufficiently

The manager could increase the chance of thesystem being a success by involving the users

by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives.

* A basic answer, some marks as correct, but only

demonstrates correct recall. Why would involving users

make it a success?


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Failing to explain answers sufficiently


by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives. User involvement would helpovercome resistance to change and improvethe quality of the system.

* Going bit further, with more explanation. Im nowwondering why would user involvement overcome

resistance to change etc?


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The full explanation. This is an example of the best answer, assuming the reader doesnt knowanything about the topic and clearly showing the implications and the impact of user involvement itdemonstrates more understanding, more critical thinking and therefore gets more marks.


by creating user groups or asking for userrepresentatives. User involvement would helpovercome resistance to change and improvethe quality of the system. Resistance tochange would be reduced because the userswould feel more engaged with the system and

positive towards it. System quality is likely tobe high because the users can ensure it meetstheir needs.


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Ignoring the context

Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarketis considering implementing a new

information system, however she is awarethat many systems development projectshave ended in failure. She has asked youto write a report to address the followingissues:

With reference to specific examples, whatactivities should be employed to reduce thelikelihood of systems failure? [50%]


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Q2. A senior manager in a large supermarketis considering implementing a new

information system, however she is awarethat many systems development projectshave ended in failure. She has asked youto write a report to address the followingissues:

With reference to specific examples, whatactivities should be employed to reduce thelikelihood of systems failure? [50%]


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So your answer must have some links to asupermarket environment. Just providing a generic

list of best practice factors would get some marks,but the student should really think about how thefactors would apply in a supermarket e.g. Usersmay be checkout staff, stock control would be a

particularly important element compare that to ifthe 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 dont know anythingabout 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 guideyour wider reading

Make sure you have read all the relevant articles as

indicated on learn as well as doing some wider reading andbeing able to draw on your own (e.g. placement)experiences

Very best of luck

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