Chapter Exercises ware rate Questions 1. How does strategic planning influence day-to-day business operations? Why is it important for sys- tems analysts to understand a company's strategic plan? 2. What is a SWOT analysis? Prepare a SWOT analysis of your school or your employer. 3. What is an effective way to assess user requests for additional features and functions? 4. What are four types of feasibility? Which type focuses on total cost of ownership? Which type do users primarily influence? 5. Describe the six steps in a typical preliminary investigation. Why should an analyst be careful when using the word problem? 6. What is project scope? What are constraints? Provide an example of a mandatory, external, future constraint. Also provide an example of a discretionary, internal, present constraint. 7. Identify and briefly describe five common fact-finding methods. 8. What fact-finding methods are well suited for complex technical issues? Which might be appropriate for the pursuit of new, cutting-edge features? 9. What type of tool might a systems analyst use to identify a relationship between two variables? What tool is useful for identifying and prioritizing causes of problems? 10. What is a fishbone diagram, and why would you use one? Think of a problem you have experienced at school or work, and draw a sample fishbone diagram with at least two levels