The Origins Of Software Essay

Q1.
Two basic ways of starting information system projects for many organizations are either by bottom up method or top down method. The bottom-up method of project initiation begins at the lower ranks. Here, lowly ranked employees are the ones who notice that the systems in use are either outdated, inadequate or needs to be replaced. This method could be as a result of hard times they encounter during their interaction with the systems while discharging their duties. On the other hand, the top-down systems of project commencements begin with top level management. In this case, managers are the ones who identify system weaknesses and recommend for either replacements or system updating. This second scenario would be as a result of ideas shared to them by friends or business partners or their personal identification especially while experiencing difficulties in generating reports or projections from such systems. In fact, the top-down strategy is exactly the opposite of bottom-up method regarding starting point. In both cases, though, the result is similar.
Q2.
Company strategies always outline the vision, mission, goals and objectives that they are striving to realize. The processes of implementing these strategies demand both technical steps and valid decisions. These actions and decisions depend on particular technologies and tools for their fulfillment. Information systems are used as technological tools in fulfilling such steps and decisions. Company strategies are being implemented in the process of achieving those steps and decisions using information systems. The information system used would depend on the nature of the approach being addressed. It might also rely on the level of complexity or simplicity of the strategy to be implemented. Sophisticated strategies might demand system integration aimed at creating a single high-tech system of operation.
Q3.
The loyalty programs for customers are too frequent in the organization, especially in the retail sector. In fact, most students fall victims of these loyalty programs. The key features of customer loyalty programs revolve around earning of simple points which would be redeemed at later stages of purchase. Points awarded by retailers would be redeemed for non-monetary rewards that are based on customer values of or may just be redeemed for extra discounts. The other common feature of such programs involves practicing a tiered system of rewarding first-time loyalties with the view of encouraging future purchases. Again, upfront fee charges for premium benefits may be considered by high-end retailers. In some instances, coalition programs for offering extensive services and offers have been deployed by some partnering retailers. Partnering is common in retails supplies dealing with complementary products or services. In the end, both partners satisfy their customers while making sales at the same time.
Q4.
The next step Jim would take is to have his project life cycle defined. The first step in this cycle would, of course, focus on data collection and synthesis, primarily based on the feasibility study. He would them establish the context relevance of his proposed system to the organization, considering various perspectives. He would after that seek proposal approved by the board of management. Approval would, therefore, give him and his team the go-ahead in researching, designing and implementing the project.
Petrie is a large corporate, and therefore, plans must be outlined in a manner that suits its goals. There have to be consultations amongst the key members of the senior management in evaluating every relevant course of action. After securing approval, Jim would start by doing research on customer-based issues and concerns. He has to find out why customers would cross-over to competitor firms, what would make them happy with their current suppliers. These two aspects would give him a broader view of how to avoid losing customers and also how to maintain existing ones. He would, therefore, consider the following as part ‘No customer exit’ project; design of customer-reward strategies, new advertisement models, feature product education to the public, the design of special offers, development of existing websites and so forth. These features would create a new look on to the company by both current and non-existing customers.
Q5.
Essential system design and development efforts are better handled by experienced and new system analysts, who are new to the organizations. The significance of such moves includes the following; Ability to act independently in the development process, i.e., not being swayed by the organization’s cultural beliefs, preconceptions, and practices which might drag such key initiatives. Again, an experienced system analyst would borrow from his past experiences and bring with him various essential perspectives to Petrie.
The fact that a new person is involved would bring other employees on the same page as no wrangles and competition amongst existing staff to jeopardize such course. The mixture of experience, competence, and divergent perspective would obviously play a significant role in developing a proper project plan that can propel the organization to a higher height, perhaps even surpassing their competitors. Given that he was a long-standing customer, he would then develop a project plan which would be a target to both loyal and new customers. In fact, having a pure perspective would create room for new approaches and insights that could result in a more creative and improved system.