Extension Exercises for Business IT
For further practice and to extend the learning attained from this module the
following shows a number of exercises which can be undertaken and submitted
to the tutor (n.hartland@northern.ac.uk) for feedback.
Note: These are optional extra questions designed to extend the
learning attained from this diploma module.
They are not part of the Assessment for this module!
Data Flows
1.1
Why might a small company use a recognised software suite of programs
such as MS Office as opposed to buying in software specific for their
needs (called Bespoke Software)?
1.2
Why should a company invest in software and hardware maintenance?
(The class notes on dataflows may be useful)
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Financial Analysis and Project Appraisal
2.1
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a company using financial
analysis methods to appraise a project?
2.2
How can goal seek aid a company when making a business decision?
2.3
What is a Written Down Allowance (WDA) and how might they help
companies invest in projects (some research needed!!)?
2.4
Do Corporation Tax payments improve a project’s viability?
Why?
(The class notes on financial analysis may be useful)
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Network Analysis (Project Management)
3.1
Draw the Network (Arrow) diagram and determine the Critical Path and
duration of the project (in days).
3.2
Activity
Durations (Days)
Preceding Activity
A
1
-
B
4
A
C
2
A
D
3
A
E
3
B,C,D
F
3
E
Draw the Network (Arrow) diagram and determine the Critical Path and
duration of the project (in days). (Ignore Resources used until attempting
question 4.4)
Activity
Durations
(Days)
Resources used
Preceding
Activity
A
2
Designer A
-
B
1
Fitter A
A
C
2
Fitter B
A
D
2
Fitter C
B,C
E
3
Engineer A
D
F
4
Engineer B
D
G
2
Inspector
E,F
If Activity C was increased by 2 days what would happen to the duration of the
project and why?
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Could activity E be increased by 1 day and have no affect on the duration of the
project?
If the cost per day is £1000 what is the total cost of the project?
(The class notes on network analysis may be useful)
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Computerised Project Management
For all the following computer printouts, show the Network diagrams
clearly by moving the activities in the diagram if you have to:
4.1
Draw the Network (Arrow) diagram and determine the Critical Path and
duration of the project (in days).
Resources
Activity
Durations (Days)
Cut material
1
Machine A
-
Drill material
3
Machine B
A
Cut material
2
Machine A
B
Shape material
3
Machine C
B
Cut material
1
Machine A
D
Polish material
4
Machine D
C,E
used
Preceding Activity
Enter the data into a project management package (such as Microsoft Project)
and print out the PERT chart.
Produce a Gantt chart of the data as well (including labels).
What is the most that activity C could be increased by to have no affect on the
overall duration of the project?
Could activity B be increased by 2 days and have no affect on the overall
duration of the project?
What level of slack is available on activity D?
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4.2
Enter the data into a project management package (such as Microsoft
Project) and print out the PERT chart.
Activity
Durations
(Days)
Resources used
Preceding
Activity
A
2
Machine A
-
B
3
Machine B
A
C
1
Machine C
A
D
4
Machine D
C
E
5
Machine A
D
F
2
Machine E
B
G
3
Machine C
B
H
5
Machine B
F,G
I
2
Machine A
H
J
3
Machine E
E,I
If the cost per day is £2000, what is the overall cost of the project?
Could activity E be increased by 2 days and have no affect on the duration of the
project?
What is the most that activity D can be increased by to have no affect on the
overall duration of the project?
Produce a Gantt chart of the data as well (including labels).
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4.3
Enter the data from exercise 3.1 into a project management package
(such as Microsoft Project) and print out the PERT chart (Network
diagram).
Compare the results to your hand drawn efforts. Are they similar?
4.4
Enter the data from exercise 3.2 into a project management package
(such as Microsoft Project) and print out the PERT chart (Network
diagram).
Produce a Gantt chart of the data as well (including labels).
(The class notes on computerised project management may be useful)
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Implementing BIT
5.1
How might change (such as new working practices) be implemented into a
company to minimise disruption to the workers?
5.2
What are the positive factors in implementing IT into an organisation such
as a small company?
5.3
What are the advantages / disadvantages of being trained at work as
opposed to an external training centre?
(The class notes on implementing Business IT may be useful)
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E-commerce
6.1
Give some examples why the so called “dot.com” bubble burst in the early
part of 2000/2001?
6.2
What are the disadvantages of a company embracing e-commerce into its
business practices?
(The class notes on e-commerce may be useful)
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Legal Frameworks
7.1
Why was the Data Protection Act 1998 updated and what does it now
include?
7.2
Which of the eight principles do you think ensure that data is kept secure?
7.3
Why might personal data be exempt from the Data Protection Act?
7.4
Why is the Freedom of Information Act important?
7.5
What is a typical length of custodial sentence for hacking (see computer
misuse act)?
7.6
What does the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) try to
overcome?
7.7
What are two activities that an individual should do at work to comply with
Health and Safety legislation?
7.8
Give three examples of how a person should sit at a desk to improve their
health and safety?
(The class notes on legal frameworks may be useful)
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Social Aspects of IT
8.1
Why is Teleworking proving so popular for individuals and companies?
8.2
What are the disadvantages of Teleworking for an individual and a
company?
8.3
What other illnesses other than RSI and Computer Stress could an
individual get when working with computers?
(The class notes on social aspects may be useful)
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