PE $1-1.$ The chapter indicates that software systems cannot create new software systems because artificial intelligence $($AI$)$ lacks key the human aptitudes and skill sets necessary for software that, at this time, only humans possess. Access the Wikipedia article "Artificial General Intelligence." This article focuses on the ability of AI to match the full range of human intelligence. Based on this article, assess the state of AI research and development. Further, assess the likelihood and degree to which computer systems in the near future will replace human beings in creating new software systems.

PE $1-2.$ As noted in this chapter, software projects fail all too frequently. Read the article $"$IT Project Management: Infamous Failures, Classic Mistakes, and Best Practices," by R$.$ Ryan Nelson $(2007$; full publication information provided in the reference list at the end of this chapter$).$ This article provides overviews of several major project failures, including the fundamental reasons each failed. In particular, in that article, focus on Table $2,$ "Ranking of Classic Mistakes." This table indicates the most frequent reasons that projects fail. In that table, consider how many of these reasons pertain to problems with software construction $($software defects or bugs, poor software performance, frequent crashes$)$ versus problems with software requirements and project management. Which of these predominate? What are the implications for the importance of the BA role?

PE $1-3.$ Consider the following requirements for a system supporting enrollments in a college or university. For each, determine if it is a feature or functional design element and explain your answer. If you find a requirement to be a functional design element, determine whether it focuses on data, logic, or the user interface.

$($Hint: Features will use the user$-$story "formula," and designs will pertain to data, logic, or the user interface.$)$:

a$.$ As a college administrator, I need to be able to define multiple sections of a course so that we can offer the same course on different days and times.

b$.$ As a student, I need to be able to enroll in multiple, different sections of a course so that I can create my course schedule for the semester.

c$.$ Data tracked for a course section should include the room number, day and time, maximum number of students that may enroll in it$,$ and the number of students currently enrolled in it$.$

d$.$ When a student tries to register for a course, the system should check to see if the number of current enrollments equals the maximum number of enrollments allowed. If so$,$ the system should show the student an error message: "Course section is full$$please pick another section."

e$.$ The system should include a screen that shows all the sections offered during a given semester, including the ability to filter those sections by department, course title, and which courses are currently full.

f$.$ For each course section, the system should include a screen showing the course number and name, the course section number, the room number, and a list of the students currently enrolled.

PE $1-4.$ Consider working with a business customer to define the requirements for a new customer call center support system, replacing an older system. In each of the following situations, describe how the BA should solve the challenge of determining system requirements.

a$.$ The business customer can explain the problems with the old system but hasn't thought through the details of how the new system should work.

b$.$ The business customer is only one of several call center managers who are responsible for improving the call center, and, further, each of those leaders has different ideas and priorities for the new system.

c$.$ The business customer is an expert in only a subset of the call center's operations $($for example, how representatives need to search for common questions and answers from customers$),$ with other business customers being experts in other aspects of the call center $($for example, the best approach to providing automated voice responses when customers first call in$).$