Question 1

Strategic decisions: which characteristic below does NOT describe strategic decisions made by senior management?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Strategic decisions set long-term direction under uncertainty. Unlike routine choices governed by clear rules, strategic choices require judgment, insight, and external scanning. Recognizing their properties helps design appropriate information and decision-support tools. Given Data / Assumptions: Strategic decisions are enterprise-wide and long-range. The environment (competition, regulation, technology) is uncertain. We seek the attribute that does not fit strategic decisions. Concept / Approach: Strategic decisions are typically unstructured or semistructured. They are future oriented, involve significant uncertainty, and address long-range plans (markets, products, capabilities). “Structured” decisions have clear procedures and rules—more typical of operational control. Step-by-Step Solution: Compare each option to known strategic attributes.Confirm future orientation, long-range scope, and uncertainty as accurate.Identify “they are structured” as not fitting.Select that as the exception. Verification / Alternative check: Anthony’s hierarchy and Simon’s model of decision types (structured vs unstructured) support this classification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: They correctly describe strategic decisions (long-term, future oriented, high uncertainty). “All are characteristics” is therefore false. Common Pitfalls: Believing that formal planning makes a decision structured; structure refers to decision procedures, not merely the existence of a plan. Final Answer: they are structured

Question 2

Accounting systems change control: adding a new general ledger account at the beginning of a fiscal period is best classified as what type of revision?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In financial systems, change control ranges from small, routine updates to major structural alterations. Classifying the change helps determine the required approvals, testing, and documentation. Adding a new GL account at the start of a period is routine but must follow controls to preserve integrity. Given Data / Assumptions: The change occurs at the beginning of the period (minimizes historical impact). It involves adding one account; no historical reclassification is needed. Standard chart-of-accounts governance and documentation apply. Concept / Approach: A simple revision is a low-risk, routine master-data change that does not alter historical balances or reporting structures. This contrasts with moderately complex or complex revisions such as reclassifying prior periods, redesigning reporting hierarchies, or merging segments, which require migration and extensive testing. Step-by-Step Solution: Assess scope: add one account code; no impact on prior data.Assess timing: start of period → no retroactive postings to adjust.Classify as a simple revision per change-control policy.Select “simple revision.” Verification / Alternative check: Finance operations policies generally treat new account creation (with proper approvals) as a standard master-data update, not a complex system revision. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Moderately complex” or “complex” imply refactoring structures or historical data; “All of the above” cannot be correct because only one classification applies. Common Pitfalls: Creating accounts mid-period without governance; failing to update mapping tables (e.g., consolidation, reporting tools), leading to reconciliation gaps. Final Answer: simple revision

Question 3

Information systems examples: an online hotel reservation application with robust database capabilities is a good example of which concept?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Online reservation platforms store, query, and update large volumes of structured data in real time: room inventory, rates, bookings, and customer profiles. The enabling core is a database engine and its data model, accessed by the application tier. Given Data / Assumptions: The application supports real-time searches, availability checks, and bookings. It relies on persistent storage, indexing, and transactions. We are to identify the core technological concept demonstrated. Concept / Approach: Such systems showcase a DBMS in action. While the application is not itself the DBMS, the example most directly illustrates the use of a DBMS (schemas, queries, transactions, concurrency control) to power a mission-critical, data-driven application. “Manual information system” is the opposite of automated. “Marketing information system” and “managerial information system” are broader organizational constructs not specific to reservation transaction processing. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the essential capability: structured data management at scale.Map that capability to DBMS features: SQL, ACID, indexing.Eliminate organizational categories and manual systems.Select “database management system (DBMS).” Verification / Alternative check: Architecture diagrams for reservation systems show application servers backed by a relational (or NoSQL) DBMS for bookings, pricing, and availability. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Marketing/managerial information systems are higher-level constructs; the question spotlights database capability within an operational application. Common Pitfalls: Conflating the application with the DBMS layer; forgetting that transactional integrity is crucial (double-booking must be prevented). Final Answer: database management system (DBMS)

Question 4

Systems behavior: what do we call an information system that responds immediately to events in (or needs of) the physical system it supports?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Many applications must react to events as they occur: process control, stock trading, airline seat inventory, and medical monitors. These are distinct from batch systems that process accumulated data later. The distinguishing term emphasizes immediate responsiveness. Given Data / Assumptions: The system interacts closely with a physical or operational process. Response must be immediate or within strict time constraints. The question seeks the standard term for such systems. Concept / Approach: A realtime system guarantees timely responses. It may be hard real-time (missed deadlines cause failure) or soft real-time (degraded quality if late). “Online” simply means connected/interactive but not necessarily time-bounded; “offline” processes later; “inline” is not a standard category. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the need: immediate response to events.Map to terminology: realtime vs online/offline.Select “realtime system.”Reject nonstandard or inaccurate terms. Verification / Alternative check: Control systems, avionics, and high-frequency trading literature use the term “real-time” to indicate deterministic or bounded-latency responses. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Online/on line: Interactive but not necessarily time-critical. Offline: Batch; not immediate. Inline: Not a standard systems category. Common Pitfalls: Equating “online” with “real-time”; ignoring latency guarantees required by true real-time applications. Final Answer: realtime system

Question 5

Technology and society: which of the following scenarios is least likely to occur in the near future, considering technical, social, and policy constraints?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Predicting technology adoption requires more than technical feasibility; social acceptance, policy, equity, and security constraints matter. Some ideas sound plausible but face steep barriers that make them unlikely in the near term. Given Data / Assumptions: “Near future” refers to short-to-medium time horizons, not several decades out. Consider legal, cybersecurity, access, and inclusivity constraints. Assume typical democratic processes and labor market dynamics. Concept / Approach: Nationwide remote voting “by pushing buttons at home” implies internet voting for high-stakes elections. Despite pilot projects, widespread adoption faces unresolved challenges: ballot secrecy, end-to-end verifiability, coercion resistance, device malware, digital divide, and public trust. By contrast, public debate about information-assistance programs is plausible; hybrid/remote work has grown but will not eliminate workplaces entirely; and automation’s labor impacts are ongoing and contested but plausible in the near term. Step-by-Step Solution: Evaluate each option against current constraints.Identify remote home voting for presidential elections as facing the greatest security and policy barriers.Acknowledge that the other scenarios are already present or being debated.Select the least likely near-term outcome. Verification / Alternative check: Election-security communities and risk-limiting audit advocates highlight open issues with internet voting. Meanwhile, remote work, automation, and information-assistance debates continue to expand. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Information-assistance program debate: Politically plausible and recurring. Traditional workplace disappearance: Overstated; however, hybrid work increased—still more plausible than nationwide home-button presidential voting. Automation impacts: Already observable in many sectors. Common Pitfalls: Equating technical possibility with policy readiness; ignoring coercion and verifiability problems in remote voting. Final Answer: the presidential election will be done by pushing buttons at home

Question 6

Office automation and organizational communication:  Which of the following statements about office automation is NOT generally true in practice and policy?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Office automation refers to the suite of tools—email, calendaring, document management, workflow, and collaboration platforms—that streamline routine clerical and knowledge work. The goal is to improve productivity, accuracy, and information flow. The question asks which statement is not generally true when organizations adopt office automation. Given Data / Assumptions: Office automation typically digitizes documents and processes. Adoption impacts communication patterns, ergonomics, and training needs. Human behavior and workplace culture mediate the outcomes of tooling changes. Concept / Approach: Automation usually increases formal and traceable communication (messages, tickets, comments) and reduces cycle time. However, it does not inherently increase informal, face-to-face interactions; in many cases, it substitutes digital exchanges for hallway chats. Best practices also stress user-centered design and change management to ensure adoption and accessibility for diverse users. Step-by-Step Solution: Evaluate each statement against common outcomes of office automation.Recognize that productivity improvements and user-friendly design are core goals.Acknowledge that human factors must be addressed (training, ergonomics, policies).Identify the claim about increasing informal face-to-face communication as not generally true. Verification / Alternative check: Post-implementation studies often observe a shift from in-person to digital channels (email, chat, collaborative docs). This confirms that informal face-to-face talk does not automatically increase; it often decreases or is rechanneled. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Productivity gains: typical objective and outcome of automation. Human factors: essential to adoption and health/safety. User-friendly software: a consistent requirement for broad use. “All of the above are true”: incorrect because one statement is not generally true. Common Pitfalls: Assuming more tools mean richer in-person collaboration. Without deliberate culture and space design, digital tools often replace rather than augment face-to-face exchanges. Final Answer: It will increase informal, face-to-face communications between employees.

Question 7

Management control cycle:  In the classic control process, the first two steps are to establish goals or standards, and then to measure actual performance. What is the name of this process?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Management control is a cyclical process that ensures organizational activities align with intended goals. It is foundational in operations, finance, and quality management. The question highlights the opening steps of this cycle and asks for the correct term describing the overall process. Given Data / Assumptions: Step 1: Establish goals/standards. Step 2: Measure actual performance. Subsequent steps typically include comparison, analysis of variances, and corrective action. Concept / Approach: The control process follows a plan → do → check → act rhythm. After setting standards (plan), managers measure actuals (check), compare results with targets, and implement corrections (act). This is distinct from the broader MIS function, which supplies information; control is the managerial activity that uses that information to regulate performance. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the described steps as part of the control loop.Distinguish the process (control) from tools that support it (MIS).Select “control.” Verification / Alternative check: Standard management texts define control as setting standards, measuring, comparing, and correcting; this matches the description given. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Expert/centers: not names of the managerial cycle. MIS: an information system, not the control process itself. None of the above: incorrect because “control” fits exactly. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the information supply (MIS) with the decision process (control). MIS informs; control acts. Final Answer: control

Question 8

Corporate modeling software:  These tools are commonly applied to which planning and budgeting tasks in enterprise finance?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Corporate modeling software supports scenario analysis, sensitivity testing, and multi-period planning. Finance teams use such tools for short-term liquidity, annual operating plans, and long-term investment evaluation. The question asks which of the listed tasks are suitable use cases. Given Data / Assumptions: Cash planning requires cash-flow projections by period. Operational budgeting allocates resources across departments and cost centers. Capital budgeting assesses large investments using discounted cash flow metrics. Concept / Approach: All three tasks rely on models that transform assumptions into forecasts: collections timing, expense drivers, and investment cash flows. Corporate modeling applications enable versioning, constraints, and summary reports to support executive decisions in each domain, making “All of the above” the accurate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Match each task to common modeling features (assumptions, scenarios, outputs).Confirm that cash, operating, and capital models all benefit from such tools.Select “All of the above.” Verification / Alternative check: Finance practice and planning systems (e.g., enterprise performance management platforms) routinely cover all three areas with shared modeling engines. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Choosing any single task understates the breadth of corporate modeling applications in finance. Common Pitfalls: Thinking that specialized spreadsheets are required for each area; integrated modeling suites handle all with shared data and drivers. Final Answer: All of the above

Question 9

Database accountability:  Who is primarily responsible for the design, definition, security, and operational control of a company's database?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: A database underpins applications, analytics, and reporting. Clear ownership is required for schema design, access control, performance, backup/recovery, and policy compliance. The role tasked with these responsibilities is well-established in IT organizations. Given Data / Assumptions: The organization uses centralized or distributed databases for operations and analytics. Security, performance tuning, and integrity are ongoing duties. Audit functions review but do not operate databases day to day. Concept / Approach: The Database Administrator (DBA) plans and maintains the logical and physical design, manages users and privileges, optimizes queries and storage, and ensures resilience through backups and replication. While EDP/IS auditors evaluate controls, and professional associations set standards, the DBA executes and enforces database policies operationally. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the role that owns schema, security, and operations.Differentiate audit/review roles from operational control.Select “DBA.” Verification / Alternative check: Standard IT role definitions place design and control of databases with DBAs, often in collaboration with data architects and platform engineers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: DBM/DPMA: acronyms for management/associations, not the operational custodian. EDP auditor: evaluates controls; does not own daily administration. None of the above: incorrect because DBA is correct. Common Pitfalls: Assuming developers own production databases; in mature environments, DBAs manage production controls and reliability. Final Answer: DBA

Question 10

Cross-disciplinary skills:  Which capability is a core requirement shared by both a system programmer and an EDP/IS auditor?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: IT roles differ in focus: system programmers build and maintain low-level software and platforms, while EDP/IS auditors evaluate controls, risks, and compliance across systems. Despite different missions, they share foundational understanding of how information systems are structured and operate. Given Data / Assumptions: System programmers require deep technical skills in operating systems, compilers, and performance. EDP/IS auditors require process, control, and risk knowledge spanning applications and infrastructure. Both must understand system architectures, data flows, and control points. Concept / Approach: “Knowledge in information systems” encompasses architectures, data management, networking, security principles, and systems life cycle. While programmers specialize in computer science internals and auditors in accounting controls, their shared baseline is information systems knowledge—how components integrate and how changes propagate across platforms and data stores. Step-by-Step Solution: List competencies for each role.Find the overlapping domain: information systems (architecture, operations, controls).Select “knowledge in information systems.” Verification / Alternative check: Job profiles for both roles reference system architecture, interfaces, and security concepts, confirming the shared requirement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Computer science: essential for programmers; not universally required for auditors. Accounting applications: key for auditors; not typically required for system programmers. Two of the above: ambiguous and unnecessary; the precise overlap is information systems. Common Pitfalls: Assuming identical skill sets; overlap exists, but depth and emphasis differ by role. Final Answer: knowledge in information systems

Question 11

Theory testing in research:  In empirical disciplines, theories are primarily evaluated using which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Theories explain and predict phenomena. In empirical research—such as information systems, operations, and management—testing a theory requires observable evidence. The question seeks the primary basis for evaluating whether a theory holds up under scrutiny. Given Data / Assumptions: Theories generate testable hypotheses. Evidence must be observable and measurable. Evaluation involves comparing predictions with observations. Concept / Approach: Data are recorded observations—quantitative or qualitative—used to test hypotheses derived from theory. While “information” is processed data and “principles/propositions” are components of theoretical frameworks, it is data that provide the empirical grounding to confirm, refine, or falsify a theory. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the scientific method: hypothesize → collect data → analyze → conclude.Recognize that data are the direct inputs to analysis.Select “data.” Verification / Alternative check: Research methodology emphasizes evidence-based validation; peer-reviewed studies hinge on data quality and analysis, not on restating propositions alone. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Information: a broader term; evaluation uses raw or processed data but the core artifact is data. Principles/propositions: parts of a theory, not the means of evaluation. None of the above: incorrect because data are correct. Common Pitfalls: Equating elegant theory with truth; without data, theories remain untested assertions. Final Answer: data

Question 12

System interrelationships:  Across typical businesses, accounts receivable systems are least closely interrelated with which other functional system?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Accounts receivable (AR) tracks amounts owed by customers, integrating with order-to-cash processes. Understanding which systems are most and least connected helps in designing interfaces and controls for data consistency and reconciliation. Given Data / Assumptions: AR interfaces with sales orders, invoicing, collections, and general ledger. Cost accounting summarizes production and overheads but also reconciles revenue and cost flows. Payroll administers employee compensation and is largely separate from customer receivables. Concept / Approach: AR is tightly linked to sales order processing (orders → invoices → receivables) and posts to the general ledger, feeding management and cost accounting reports. Purchasing is part of procure-to-pay and connects more to accounts payable. Payroll pertains to employee payments and benefits, with minimal direct linkage to customer receivables beyond shared GL structures. Step-by-Step Solution: Map AR to upstream and downstream processes (sales → invoice → cash receipt).Compare integration intensity with each listed system.Identify “payroll system” as least interrelated. Verification / Alternative check: ERP architectures (order-to-cash vs procure-to-pay vs hire-to-retire) separate AR from payroll modules, confirming loose coupling. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cost accounting: relies on revenue and margin data that tie back to AR invoicing. Sales order: directly feeds AR with billable transactions. Purchasing: although less related than sales, can connect via customer returns/credits; still more relevant than payroll to AR operations. Common Pitfalls: Assuming everything in finance is tightly linked; functional cycles in ERP are intentionally modular with defined interfaces. Final Answer: payroll system

Question 13

Teleprocessing modes:  For a probabilistic encoding application that requires iterative user interaction and rapid feedback, which teleprocessing system mode is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Teleprocessing modes describe how users connect to and use computing resources. Applications involving probability encoding or statistical modeling often require users to adjust parameters and immediately observe results, favoring interactive capabilities over deferred processing. Given Data / Assumptions: The application involves experimentation and iteration. Users benefit from quick turnaround to refine models. Multiple users may connect concurrently. Concept / Approach: An interactive time-sharing system allows many users to share a central processor, submitting commands and receiving rapid responses. This is ideal for exploratory analytics and modeling. In contrast, batch systems (online batch or large-scale batch) queue jobs for later execution, increasing latency and reducing the conversational flow necessary for iterative probabilistic encoding tasks. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the need: immediate feedback and iterative interaction.Match the need to a teleprocessing mode that supports conversational computing.Select “an interactive time-sharing system.” Verification / Alternative check: Historical and modern analytics platforms (from mainframe time-sharing to notebooks and interactive servers) prioritize immediate compute-return cycles for modeling, validating the selection. Why Other Options Are Wrong: On-line batch: accepts jobs online but still executes in scheduled batches; feedback is delayed. Large-scale batch: maximizes throughput for bulk jobs, not interactive exploration. All of the above/None: incorrect because only time-sharing fits the interactive requirement. Common Pitfalls: Choosing batch modes for exploratory work; they slow learning loops and reduce productivity. Final Answer: an interactive time-sharing system

Question 14

Computer categories:  A _____-purpose computer is engineered and optimized to perform one specific application or a narrowly defined set of tasks.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Computers can be categorized by purpose (general vs special) and by signal type (digital, analog, hybrid). Understanding these distinctions clarifies design trade-offs and deployment contexts in embedded systems, industrial control, and consumer devices. Given Data / Assumptions: We are focusing on “purpose” rather than signal processing type. Special-purpose machines are tailored to one application domain. General-purpose machines handle many tasks via software. Concept / Approach: A special-purpose computer is built for a dedicated function (e.g., router firmware platforms, automotive engine controllers, digital signage players). By contrast, analog/digital/hybrid refer to how data is represented and processed. Therefore, “special” completes the phrase correctly when describing a device designed for one specific application. Step-by-Step Solution: Differentiate “purpose” from “signal type.”Recognize that special-purpose maps to single-application design.Choose “special.” Verification / Alternative check: Computer architecture references use “special-purpose” to describe dedicated systems; the alternatives describe other classification axes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Analog/digital/hybrid: classify computation style, not purpose. None of the above: incorrect because “special” is correct. Common Pitfalls: Mixing classification dimensions (purpose vs signal type) leading to incorrect matches. Final Answer: special

Question 15

Fixed assets master data:  Which field most appropriately serves as the file key (primary identifier) in a fixed assets file?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Fixed asset accounting tracks long-lived property (plant, equipment, vehicles) from acquisition through depreciation and disposal. A reliable master file requires a unique identifier for each physical or capital asset to ensure accurate life-cycle control and auditability. Given Data / Assumptions: Each asset must be uniquely identifiable in the master file. Other fields (accounts, dates) may repeat across many assets. The key should remain stable over the asset’s life. Concept / Approach: An asset identification number (asset ID or tag) uniquely identifies each item, linking records to physical tags and documentation. Account numbers (fixed asset or depreciation) classify postings in the general ledger but are not unique per asset. Acquisition date is shared by many assets acquired on the same day and cannot serve as a unique key. Step-by-Step Solution: Define the requirement: one-to-one mapping between key and asset.Evaluate each candidate field for uniqueness and stability.Select “asset identification number” as the proper file key. Verification / Alternative check: ERP systems and fixed-asset subledgers use asset IDs or tags as primary keys, with cross-references to GL accounts and dates, confirming best practice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fixed asset account number: categorizes assets; not unique per item. Acquisition date: many assets can share the same date. Depreciation account number: a GL mapping, not an identifier. Common Pitfalls: Using composite keys with business-meaningful fields that change over time; stable surrogate IDs are more reliable for lifecycle tracking. Final Answer: asset identification number

Question 16

MIS architecture terminology:  When an organization's Management Information System (MIS) relies on one main computer system that serves all users and departments, what is this structure called?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: A Management Information System (MIS) can be deployed using several architectural styles. Understanding the language used to describe these styles is essential for choosing the right design for cost, control, and performance. This question asks for the correct term when there is a single main computer that provides computing services to the whole organization. Given Data / Assumptions: One main computer system is the core computing resource. Other terminals or clients depend on that main system for processing and data storage. No distributed peer-to-peer compute layer is implied. Concept / Approach: When compute and data control are concentrated in a single host or small central cluster, the design is called a centralized MIS structure. This contrasts with distributed or decentralized designs, where compute and data are spread across multiple autonomous or semi-autonomous nodes, often closer to the departments they serve. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the key architectural cue: a single main computer.Map that cue to the canonical term: centralized.Eliminate terms that imply multiple autonomous nodes (distributed/decentralized) or layered chains (hierarchical) as primary descriptors. Verification / Alternative check: Classic mainframe-terminal environments and modern central private clouds with thin clients are typical examples of centralized structures, where governance, backup, and performance tuning are centrally managed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Distributed MIS structure: Implies multiple processing sites working together, not one main system. Hierarchical MIS structures: Describes reporting or control layers, not specifically the single-host compute model. Decentralized MIS structure: Implies autonomy at departmental nodes. None of the above: Incorrect because “centralized MIS structure” is the standard term. Common Pitfalls: Confusing user interface centralization (for example, remote desktops) with compute centralization; the defining factor is where processing and data control primarily reside. Final Answer: centralized MIS structure

Question 17

Decision speed requirements:  Which level of managerial decision-making most heavily depends on real-time information for effective action?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Different decision levels in organizations require different latency and detail in information. Real-time or near-real-time data feeds are especially valuable where timing and immediate corrective actions matter. This question asks which level relies most on such up-to-the-minute information. Given Data / Assumptions: Operational decisions concern day-to-day control of activities (scheduling, dispatching, reorders). Tactical decisions operate on weekly or monthly horizons. Strategic decisions are long-range and less frequent. “Nonprogrammable” denotes unstructured problems not easily codified. Concept / Approach: Operational managers need current status: machine downtime alerts, stock levels, order queues, website traffic spikes, and fraud flags. Delayed information reduces effectiveness. Strategic and many tactical choices can tolerate aggregation and lag because they involve analysis of trends rather than minute-by-minute states. Step-by-Step Solution: Classify each level by time horizon and structure.Match real-time needs to short-horizon, structured control tasks.Select “operational” as the level most dependent on real-time data. Verification / Alternative check: Common systems—SCADA dashboards, point-of-sale alerts, warehouse management systems, and network operations centers—feed operational staff with immediate data to trigger actions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Strategic: Focuses on long-term direction; real-time is helpful but not essential. Tactical: Often uses weekly/monthly summaries rather than millisecond data. Nonprogrammable: By definition not driven by routine real-time metrics. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “faster is always better.” For strategic planning, too-frequent data can cause noise chasing rather than insight. Final Answer: operational

Question 18

Backup “generations” concept:  In IT operations, the idea of maintaining multiple “generations” of data files (such as grandfather–father–son) is most closely related to which processing mode?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Operational environments often safeguard data by keeping several prior versions known as “generations.” This rotation supports recovery if the latest copy is corrupted. Understanding where this practice originated helps contextualize systems history and controls. Given Data / Assumptions: The “grandfather–father–son” rotation is a classic operations method. Historically tied to scheduled jobs and media handling. We are mapping the concept to a processing mode. Concept / Approach: Batch processing consolidates work into scheduled runs, producing discrete outputs (files, reports). Each run creates a new generation while older ones are retained for rollback. Although backups exist in other modes, the language of “generations” is most associated with batch-oriented data centers and tape/file management. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the control practice: keep multiple prior outputs.Recognize its roots in scheduled, end-of-day or end-of-cycle batch jobs.Select the associated mode: batch processing. Verification / Alternative check: Operations manuals and JCL/tape management systems explicitly use generation terminology for batch datasets. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Transaction processing / realtime / timesharing: May use backups, but the “generations” nomenclature historically ties to batch runs. None of the above: Incorrect because batch processing is correct. Common Pitfalls: Equating snapshot-based backups in modern systems with the older generation-labeling scheme; concepts are related but historically distinct. Final Answer: batch processing

Question 19

Value of logical models in decision support:  Logical models often underpin computing systems that produce information helpful for handling which types of managerial situations?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Logical models (for example, forecasting models, optimization models, and simulations) translate business assumptions into structured relationships. They power decision-support systems that guide managers through volatility, ambiguity, and interdependence. Given Data / Assumptions: Managers face dynamics (changing demand), uncertainty (probabilities and risk), and complexity (many variables and constraints). Models abstract reality to make it analyzable. We seek the scope where such models add value. Concept / Approach: Logical models clarify cause–effect structure, quantify trade-offs, and enable “what-if” exploration. They are widely used for dynamic scheduling, inventory control under uncertainty, and complex portfolio and supply-chain decisions. Hence, they are relevant across dynamic, uncertain, and complex situations—often simultaneously. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognize that dynamics require time-indexed models and feedback awareness.Acknowledge uncertainty requiring probabilistic parameters or scenarios.Account for complexity using optimization or decomposition techniques.Conclude broad usefulness across all three categories. Verification / Alternative check: Typical enterprise use cases include demand forecasting (dynamic/uncertain), network design (complex), and Monte Carlo risk analysis (uncertain/complex). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Each single category is correct but incomplete. None of the above: Incorrect because logical models are expressly built for such conditions. Common Pitfalls: Believing models eliminate uncertainty; they illuminate choices but still require managerial judgment and quality data. Final Answer: All of the above

Question 20

Project network analysis terminology:  If an event in a project network has Earliest Time (ET) and Latest Time (LT) that are not equal, how is that event classified?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In CPM/PERT project scheduling, events and activities have time parameters that define schedule flexibility. Understanding the difference between critical and non-critical elements is essential for focusing management attention and buffer planning. Given Data / Assumptions: Earliest Time (ET) and Latest Time (LT) are computed from forward and backward passes. If ET = LT, slack = 0; if ET ≠ LT, slack > 0. We classify the event based on slack. Concept / Approach: Slack (or float) is defined as LT - ET. A critical event or activity has zero slack and lies on the critical path; any delay directly extends the project duration. If ET and LT are different, there is positive slack, meaning the event can shift within limits without affecting the project's completion date, so it is non-critical. Step-by-Step Solution: Compute slack: slack = LT - ET.Observe condition ET ≠ LT ⇒ slack > 0.Classify: any positive slack ⇒ non-critical event. Verification / Alternative check: Network schedules highlight critical path nodes/edges with zero float; non-critical nodes show float values allowing schedule flexibility. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Critical: Requires ET = LT (slack = 0), which is not the case here. Optimum: Not a standard CPM/PERT classification for events. All/None of the above: Contradict the established definition. Common Pitfalls: Confusing low slack with zero slack; only zero slack is critical. Final Answer: non-critical

Management Information Systems Questions