5. Find the answers to the questions.

1. What is System Analysis?

2. What steps are used to draw the exact border of the new system under consideration?

3. How must all procedures and requirements be analysed and documented?

4. What else does System Analysis include?

5. What are the main points to be discussed in system analysis?

Text c: Qualities of Information

Data and information are not synonymous. Information is processed data. Data may be processed by performing arithmetic operations on them. Data may also be processed by reorganizing them by applying appropriate rules such as sorting, merging, selection, matching, filtering, etc. Information requirements for managing organizations may be classified as strategic, tactical and operational.

Now we'll discuss the qualities of the information to be provided to managers.

• It must be accurate. Incorrect information is worse than no information.

• It should be complete. It should include all data and not exclude some.

• It should also be trustworthy. The processing should not hide some vital information which may point out the inefficiency of some individuals.

• The information should be timely. It should be given to the manager when he needs it. Delayed information may sometimes be of no value.

• It should also be up to date. It should include all data available at the time of processing.

• It should be tailored to the needs of the user and be relevant to him. Irrelevant information would waste a lot of manager's time.

• It is essential to give brief summarized information to ensure quick action.

• Information should be presented when a user needs it in such a way that he may immediately perceive its significance. It is essential to present the information in an attractive format which a user can immediately understand.

1. Link the beginnings and the ends of the sentence.

1. Information is a collection of facts organized in such a way that 2. The value of information is directly linked to 3. The reliability of the information depends on 4. Information should be easily accessible by authorized users 5. If information is not accurate or complete,

a) the source of the information. b) to be obtained in the right format and at the right time to meet their needs. c) they have additional value beyond the value of the facts themselves. d) poor decisions can be made, costing the organization thousands, or even millions of dollars. e) how it helps decision makers achieve their organization’s goals.

2. Find the words with similar meaning in the text.

1) executing; 2) using; 3) exact (precise); 4) entire (full); 5) reliable;

6) meaning; 7) modern

3. Complete these sentences using a noun or a verb from the box.

a) make; b) be; c) process; d) decision; e) set up; f) distinguish

1. Several characteristics … useful information from data.

2. The purpose of information is to help people … well-informed decisions.

3. Information must be relevant, timely, accurate, concise and complete in order to … useful.

4. Rules and relationships can be … to organize data into useful, valuable information.

5. Turning data into information is a … , or a set of logically related tasks performed to achieve a defined outcome.

6. If information is not pertinent to the situation, not delivered to … makers in a timely fashion, or too complex to understand, it may be of little value to the organization.