Managing Information Systems [MS1] Examination Blueprint
2014/2015
Purpose
The Managing Information Systems [MS1] examination has been constructed using an examination blueprint. The blueprint, also referred to as the test
specifications, outlines the content areas covered on the examination and the weighting allotted to each content area. This document also lists the topics,
the level of competence for each topic, and the related learning objectives. In addition, information is provided on the proportion of each question type
presented in the examination (that is, multiple choice, quantitative problems, and so on).
Use
Students should use the examination blueprint to prepare for the course examination. The blueprint may not include all the topics listed in the course
outline; however, students are still responsible for acquiring a broad-based knowledge of all topics not listed in the blueprint since these topics will be
tested in assignment and review questions. The topics not listed in the blueprint will also provide students with a greater depth of understanding managing
information systems concepts.
Examination Objectives
The objective of the three-hour comprehensive examination is to test CGA students on the prerequisite information systems knowledge that is required
for advancement within the CGA professional program of study.
Examination Guidelines for Questions
i)
Question Type
The following are guidelines on the type of questions and their approximate weightings:
Question Item
Description
Multiple-choice questions
Questions may take a conceptual form or they may require analytical skills to derive the
correct solution.
Questions may focus on technical or analytical aspects of the material. Several questions
will also be decision-oriented, where the student is asked to take the role of creditor,
investor, manager, or auditor and make a recommendation or a decision based on analysis
performed.
Short, integrative cases may be used to pull together related issues. For example, a problem
may require students to outline alternatives, supporting their recommendations with
numerical analysis.
Short-answer problems, including
quantitative problems
Short cases
ii)
Percentage
Weighting
15%-20%
55%-75%
10%-20%
Question Content
The following table is organized according to content area and provides information on topics, learning objectives, weighting, competencies
and levels of competence. The competencies applicable to a particular module are identified independent of the learning objectives.
Examination sessions: June 2015
Page 1 of 11
Content
Topics
Area
1. Introduction to information systems
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competence
1.1
Information systems
concepts
 Distinguish data from information, and
describe the characteristics used to
evaluate the quality of data.
Level 2
1.2
Types of information
systems
 Identify the main types of information
systems and their components.
Level 1
1.3
Information systems in
organizations
 Explain how the organization’s structure,
value chain, and culture can affect the
implementation of information systems,
describe changes in business processes,
and explain change management.
Level 1
1.4
Using information
systems to attain
competitive advantage
 Explain how businesses use information
systems and business processes to attain
competitive advantage.
Level 1
1.5
Justifying computerbased information
systems
 Explain how organizations justify the need
for information systems.
Level 2
1.6
Systems development
 Identify the major steps and goals, and
describe the major issues in the systems
development process.
Level 1
1.7
Computer waste,
mistakes and security
measures
 Describe waste and mistakes in the IS
environment.
Level 1
1.8
Computer crime
 Describe the types and effects of computer
crime, and outline options for preventing
computer crime.
Levels 1 & 2
1.9
Health and environment
issues
 List the effects of computers on the work
environment, and identify actions to
ensure the health and safety of employees.
Level 2
 Identify ethical issues arising from the use
of information systems, and describe
codes of ethics related to computer
systems.
Level 1
1.10 Ethical issues
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
9%-14%
Page 2 of 11
Content
Topics
Area
2. Foundations of computers
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competence
2.1
Major hardware components
of a computer
 Describe the major components and
functions of a computer.
Level 1
2.2
Secondary storage
 Describe secondary storage technologies
used in computers.
Level 1
2.3
Input and output technology
 Describe input and output technologies
used in computers.
Level 1
2.4
Computer types, standards,
selection, and upgrading
 Differentiate between various types of
computers, and describe the role of
standards and selection criteria.
Levels 1 & 2
2.5
Software
 Describe the functions of systems
software and application software.
Level 1
2.6
Programming languages
 Identify the strengths and limitations of
the major programming languages.
Level 2
2.7
Software issues and trends
 Identify software issues and trends.
Level 1
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
8%-12%
Page 3 of 11
Content
Topics
Area
3. File and database organization
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competence
3.1
Data organization and
information
 Describe how fields, records, files, and
databases are organized within a data
hierarchy.
Level 1
3.2
Database organization
methods
 Describe database organization and
database components.
Level 1
3.3
Database management
systems
 Describe a database management system,
and explain why it is needed.
Level 1
3.4
Database storage and
analysis
 Describe database storage techniques.
Level 2
3.5
Database developments
 Describe database developments, including
data warehousing, data marts, and data
mining.
Level 2
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
10%-15%
Page 4 of 11
Content
Area
Topics
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competenc
e
4. The systems development process
8%-12%
4.1
Introduction to systems
development

Identify the key participants in the systems
development process and the major reasons for
initiating a systems project.
Level 1
4.2
Information systems
planning

Define the term information systems planning,
and explain the objectives of systems
development.
Level 1
4.3
Systems development
life cycle

Describe the major stages, advantages, and
disadvantages of the traditional systems
development life cycle.
Level 1
4.4
Alternatives to the
traditional SDLC

Describe the features, advantages, and
disadvantages of alternative approaches to the
traditional SDLC approach, including
prototyping, rapid application development,
outsourcing, and end-user systems development
life cycles.
Level 1
4.5
Factors affecting
systems development
success

Identify several factors that influence the success
or failure of a systems development project.
Level 1
4.6
Systems investigation

State the purpose of systems investigation, and
describe technology, operational, schedule,
economic, and legal feasibility assessments.
Level 1
4.7
Systems analysis

Explain the purpose of systems analysis, and
describe the tools and techniques used in this
phase of systems development.
Level 1
4.8
Data-flow diagrams

Use data-flow diagrams for systems analysis and
design.
Level 1
4.9
Using Excel as a
data-flow diagram
drawing tool

Use Excel for data-flow diagramming.
Level 1
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
Page 5 of 11
Content
Topics
Area
5. Designing information systems solutions
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competence
5.1
Logical and physical
design
 Describe and differentiate between logical
systems design and physical systems
design.
Level 1
5.2
Spreadsheet applications
 Use a spreadsheet program to solve a basic
information systems problem.
Level 1
5.3
Special considerations
and user interface design
 Describe the attributes of effective user
interfaces.
Level 1
5.4
Emergency procedures
and disaster recovery
 Describe methods and procedures for
emergencies and disaster recovery.
Level 1
5.5
Systems controls
 Justify the need for internal, general, and
application controls.
Level 1
5.6
Internal controls for
computer systems
 Differentiate between controls in small and
large businesses.
Level 1
5.7
Generating systems
design alternatives
 Explain the process of acquiring hardware
and software.
Level 2
5.8
Evaluating and selecting
a systems design
 Compare and contrast the various
techniques used to evaluate design
alternatives.
Level 1
5.9
The design report
 Describe the design report.
Level 2
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
8%-12%
Page 6 of 11
Content
Topics
Learning Objectives
Area
6. Systems implementation, maintenance, review, and audit
Levels of
Competence
6.1
Systems implementation
 State the purpose of systems
implementation, and describe the activities
associated with this phase of systems
development.
Level 1
6.2
Software development
 Compare and contrast purchasing software
and developing software.
Levels 1 & 2
6.3
In-house developed
software
 Identify the activities of the programming
life cycle.
Level 1
6.4
Software development
tools and techniques
 Explain the fundamental concepts of
structured programming.
Levels 1 & 2
6.5
Preparation
 Describe preparation strategies and
considerations.
Level 1
6.6
Installation and testing
 Describe installation and testing strategies
and considerations.
Level 1
6.7
Conversion and
acceptance
 Describe conversion and acceptance
strategies and considerations.
Level 1
6.8
Systems maintenance
 State the importance of systems and
software maintenance, and describe the
activities involved.
Level 1
6.9
Systems review
 Describe the systems review process.
Level 1
6.10 Systems audits
 Describe the basics of systems audits.
Level 2
6.11 Audit trails
 Justify the need for and describe types of
audit trails.
Level 1
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
8%-12%
Page 7 of 11
Content
Topics
Area
7. Networks and telecommunications
Learning Objectives
Levels of
Competence
7.1
Basic concepts of
telecommunication
 Describe modes of telecommunication
transmissions, including transmission rates.
Level 2
7.2
Telecommunications
models
 Describe and contrast commonly used
telecommunications models.
Level 1
7.3
Network types
 Describe local area networks, wide area
networks, and value-added networks, and
outline their configurations.
Level 1
7.4
Client/server systems
 Describe the features, advantages, and
disadvantages of client/server systems.
Level 1
7.5
Telecommunications
devices, software and
protocols
 Describe telecommunications standards,
protocols, and devices.
Level 2
7.6
Telecommunications
applications and issues
 Identify strategies to solve business
problems using telecommunications
technologies, and describe the related
issues.
Level 2
7.7
The Internet
 Define the Internet, and outline the services
available.
Level 1
7.8
The World Wide Web
 Describe how to use the World Wide Web.
Levels 1 & 2
7.9
Intranets and extranets
 Define intranets and extranets, and describe
how they are used.
Level 1
 Identify ethical and other issues related to
the Internet and network systems.
Level 2
7.10 Net issues
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
9%-15%
Page 8 of 11
Content
Topics
Learning Objectives
Area
8. E-commerce, transaction processing, and enterprise resource planning
Levels of
Competence
8.1
Introduction to ecommerce
 Identify the advantages of e-commerce, and
outline a multistage model of e-commerce.
Level 1
8.2
Mobile commerce
 Describe mobile commerce and the
technology required to support it.
Level 1
8.3
E-commerce
applications
 Identify several e-commerce applications.
Level 2
8.4
Threats to e-commerce
 Identify the major issues that pose
significant threats to the continued growth
of e-commerce.
Level 1
8.5
Strategies for successful
e-commerce
 Outline the key components of a successful
e-commerce strategy.
Level 2
8.6
Technology
infrastructure
 Outline the key components of the
technology infrastructure required for
successful e-commerce.
Level 1
8.7
Electronic payment
systems
 Describe key features of the electronic
payment systems needed to support ecommerce.
Level 2
8.8
Transaction processing
systems
 Identify the basic activities and business
objectives common to all transaction
processing systems.
Levels 1 & 2
8.9
Enterprise resource
planning
 Define enterprise resource planning, and
describe the advantages and disadvantages
of an ERP.
Levels 1 & 2
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
10%-13%
Page 9 of 11
Content
Topics
Learning Objectives
Area
9. Information systems and decision support systems
Levels of
Competence
9.1
Decision making and
problem solving
 Outline and describe the stages of the
problem-solving process.
Level 1
9.2
Types and functional
aspects of management
information systems
 Distinguish between operations support
systems, management support systems,
management information systems, decision
support systems, and executive support
systems.
Level 1
9.3
Management
information systems
 Describe management information systems,
and explain how they work.
Level 1
9.4
Decision support
systems
 Explain the purpose and general functions
of decision support systems.
Level 1
9.5
Group decision support
systems
 Describe the characteristics of group
decision support systems.
Level 1
9.6
Computer illustration
9.6-1: Using a
spreadsheet for decision
support.
 Use a spreadsheet program as a
decision-making tool.
Level 2
9.7
Executive support
systems
 Describe executive support systems, and
explain how they work.
Level 1
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
7%-10%
Page 10 of 11
Content
Topics
Learning Objectives
Area
10. Knowledge management, artificial intelligence, and other specialized information
systems
Levels of
Competence
10.1 Basic concepts of
knowledge
management and
artificial intelligence
 Define knowledge management, artificial
intelligence, and the characteristics of
intelligent behaviour; and compare the
performance of natural and artificial
intelligence systems for each of the
characteristics defined.
Level 2
10.2 Major branches of
artificial intelligence
 List the major branches of artificial
intelligence.
Level 2
10.3 Intelligent agents and
bots
 Describe the potential uses of intelligent
agents.
Level 3
10.4 Expert systems
 Describe an expert system.
Level 2
10.5 Applications of ES and
AI
 Explain the applications of artificial
intelligence.
Level 2
10.6 Multimedia and virtual
reality
 Define virtual reality, and provide
examples of its applications
Level 2
10.7 Other specialized
systems
 Identify and describe other specialized
systems.
Level 2
Examination sessions: June 2015
Weighting
(%)
3%-5%
Page 11 of 11