Information Technology Management (C954)

Correct answer:

B. Activities that govern the flow of tangible, physical components through the supply chain

Explanation:

Materials management refers to the activities involved in overseeing the flow of physical goods, such as raw materials, components, and finished products, within the supply chain. It includes procurement, storage, transportation, and inventory control to ensure efficient production and delivery. Effective materials management helps minimize costs, reduce waste, and improve efficiency in supply chain operations.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Ability to locate, track, and predict the movement of every component in the supply chain is incorrect because while tracking is an essential function, materials management is broader. It involves handling the physical flow of goods rather than just monitoring their movement.

C. Structure of a supply chain, including product, partners, location, transportation methods, and information systems is incorrect because this describes supply chain design or supply chain architecture, which defines how different elements interact within a supply chain rather than focusing specifically on materials management.

D. Process that ensures supply chain functionality through the automation of supply chain activities is incorrect because automation is a part of supply chain management, but materials management specifically deals with the handling of physical components rather than ensuring overall automation.

Correct answer:

D. A framework of best practices for delivering IT services

Explanation:

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a framework that provides best practices for delivering IT services effectively and efficiently. It helps organizations align their IT services with business needs by defining standardized processes for service management, support, and delivery. ITIL is widely used by IT professionals to improve service quality, reduce downtime, and enhance customer satisfaction through structured workflows and guidelines.

Why other options are wrong:

A. A framework of strategies for leadership to manage risk is incorrect because ITIL primarily focuses on IT service management rather than risk management. While risk management is a component of ITIL, it is not its primary purpose. ITIL covers broader IT service delivery aspects such as incident management, service design, and continual improvement.

B. A reference for small companies to share ideas for expansion of IT services is incorrect because ITIL is not limited to small companies or idea-sharing. It is a structured framework applicable to organizations of all sizes, offering standardized guidelines for IT service management rather than an open forum for idea exchange.

C. A reference for leadership to establish cost-effective practices is incorrect because, while ITIL can help organizations improve efficiency and reduce costs, its primary focus is on service delivery rather than purely cost reduction. ITIL aims to enhance service quality through best practices rather than solely focusing on financial efficiency.

Correct answer:

C. Spreadsheet

Explanation:

A spreadsheet program is designed to handle numerical data and perform calculations using mathematical formulas. It allows users to input data, create functions, and analyze results efficiently. Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, is commonly used in business and IT environments for tasks involving arithmetic operations, data organization, and financial analysis.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Groupware is designed for collaboration and communication within teams. It includes tools like email, shared calendars, and document collaboration, but it is not intended for performing complex mathematical calculations.

B. Personal management software is typically used for organizing schedules, contacts, and personal tasks. While it may have some basic calculation features, it is not suitable for extensive mathematical computations and data analysis.

D. Data management software is used for storing, retrieving, and managing large volumes of data, typically in databases. While it can be used for organizing information, it does not specialize in performing calculations using mathematical formulas like a spreadsheet does.

Correct Answer

C. On-demand resource availability

Explanation

Cloud computing allows businesses to access computing resources such as storage, processing power, and applications on demand, without requiring upfront investments in hardware or infrastructure. This flexibility enables companies to scale their resources based on current needs, reducing costs and improving efficiency. Additionally, cloud services often provide automatic updates and security management, which further enhances their value for businesses.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A. Increased hardware costs

Cloud computing reduces hardware costs rather than increasing them. Businesses using cloud services do not need to purchase and maintain expensive physical servers, as resources are provided by cloud providers on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. This cost-effective model allows organizations to allocate budgets more efficiently and avoid large capital expenditures.

B. Limited scalability

Cloud computing offers high scalability, not limited scalability. Organizations can easily adjust their resource usage based on demand, whether they need more storage, computing power, or bandwidth. This elasticity is one of the primary benefits of cloud computing, making it suitable for businesses with fluctuating workloads.

D. Requirement for on-premises servers

Cloud computing eliminates the need for on-premises servers in many cases. Instead of hosting data and applications on local servers, businesses can use remote cloud infrastructure provided by vendors such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. This reduces maintenance costs, enhances accessibility, and improves disaster recovery options.

Correct Answer

A. Waterfall

Explanation

The Waterfall methodology follows a sequential, linear process where each phase must be completed before moving on to the next. This approach includes defined stages such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Each phase acts as a "gate," meaning the project cannot proceed until the previous phase is fully completed and approved.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

B. Rapid application development (RAD)

RAD emphasizes fast prototyping and iterative feedback rather than following a strict sequence. It is designed to be more flexible and adaptive compared to the rigid Waterfall model.

C. Prototyping

Prototyping is an iterative approach where preliminary versions of the software are developed, tested, and refined based on user feedback. It does not follow a strict sequential gate process.

D. Rational unified process (RUP)

RUP is an iterative methodology that divides projects into multiple cycles, each consisting of inception, elaboration, construction, and transition phases. Unlike Waterfall, it allows for revisiting earlier phases as needed.

Correct Answer

B. It aligns technology initiatives with business objectives.

Explanation

A strong technology plan ensures that IT investments and initiatives support the overall business strategy, improving efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness. Technology should be implemented with clear business goals in mind, such as increasing productivity, reducing costs, or enhancing customer experiences.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A. It focuses solely on hardware upgrades – While hardware upgrades are important, a good technology plan encompasses software, cybersecurity, and business alignment, not just new devices.

C. It eliminates the need for data security measures – No technology plan should ignore data security. Cybersecurity is a crucial part of any IT strategy to protect sensitive information and ensure business continuity.

D. It prioritizes employee training over technology implementation – While training is essential, it should be balanced with effective technology deployment. A good plan integrates both aspects rather than prioritizing one over the other.

Correct Answer

D. Online transaction processing

Explanation

Online transaction processing (OLTP) systems are designed to handle real-time business transactions and capture event information as it occurs. These systems support daily operations by processing and storing transaction data, ensuring that the latest information is available for operational decision-making. OLTP is commonly used in banking, retail, and customer service environments where real-time updates are essential.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A. Decision support system

A decision support system (DSS) helps managers analyze complex data and make informed decisions, but it does not focus on capturing and processing real-time event information for daily operations.

B. Online analytical processing

Online analytical processing (OLAP) is used for complex data analysis and business intelligence, rather than real-time transaction processing. It is more suitable for strategic decision-making rather than operational processes.

C. Executive information system

An executive information system (EIS) is designed for senior executives to monitor overall business performance, not for capturing and processing transactional event data in daily operations.

Correct answer:

D. Project stakeholder

Explanation:

Project stakeholders are individuals, groups, or organizations affected by a project's execution or outcome. They can include internal team members, executives, customers, suppliers, or regulatory bodies. Stakeholders may have varying levels of influence over a project and can be positively or negatively impacted by its success or failure.

Why other options are wrong:

A. Team leader A team leader is responsible for managing a group within a project but is not necessarily a stakeholder. While a team leader can be a stakeholder, stakeholders include a broader range of individuals and organizations.

B. Project manager The project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing the project, but they are not the only ones affected by its completion. Stakeholders extend beyond just the project management team.

C. Executive sponsor: An executive sponsor provides high-level support and resources for the project but is just one type of stakeholder rather than the term used to describe all affected parties.

Correct Answer

C. Star

Explanation

In a star topology, all devices connect to a central hub or switch, which manages communication between them. This setup provides efficient data transfer and network management, reducing the risk of network failure by isolating issues to individual connections. It is commonly used in Ethernet networks due to its reliability and scalability.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A. Bus

A bus topology connects all devices along a single cable, with data traveling in both directions. Unlike a star topology, it does not use a central hub, making it less efficient in handling network traffic and more prone to data collisions.

B. Hybrid

A hybrid topology is a combination of two or more different network topologies, such as star, bus, or ring. While it may include a star topology within its design, it is not solely defined by the presence of a central hub.

D. Wireless

Wireless networks use radio signals to connect devices rather than a physical hub. Although access points may function as centralized controllers in some wireless setups, they do not form a wired star topology.