The purpose of these critical thinking exercises is to allow you to (a) apply lectures and readings to a real-world business setting, and (b) gather material incrementally to be used in your research paper.

It is recommended that you form a team of two or three fellow students. Then identify a Northern California business firm to study. The firm cannot be one in which any team member is currently working, unless you obtain prior approval from me. That approval will depend on where in the firm, and at what job, the team member is employed.

Exercises can be delivered by FAX, by e-mail, or in person. All submissions must include (1) name(s), (2) date, (3) "MIS 221," and (4) exercise title (e.g., Data Management) at the beginning of the submission. All exercises are due no later than the beginning of the Saturday class on the specified week. No late assignments will be accepted.

Send to me via e-mail a one- to two-page vita, including work experience and education.

Reference Chapter 5 in Hammer and Champy. There are eight "Old Rule/New Rule" scenarios posed (pp. 92-99). Specifically describe four of these scenarios in the context of a specific Northern California business firm.

Consider Figure B-1. Construct a similar diagram for your Northern California firm. Briefly describe (in general terms) each component of your diagram.

Consider Figure B-2 for your Northern California firm.

d. Briefly discuss whether this firm uses distributed, centralized, or decentralized databases

Select two of the following issues and describe how your Northern California firm addresses these issues.

a. Outsourcing.

b. Network management.

c. Lights-out computer rooms.

d. Expert systems in computer rooms.

e. Disaster recovery.

Select two of the following issues and describe your Northern California firm's stance on these issues.

a. CASE.

b. Prototyping.

c. Object-oriented development.

d. Development versus off-the-shelf software.

e. Measuring productivity.