GAQM CITM-001 Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM) Exam Practice Test

When deciding on system alternatives, the IT manager has to consider the following points1:

• Technological feasibility: The IT manager has to assess whether the proposed system can be implemented with the available technology, resources, and skills. The IT manager has to evaluate the technical risks, challenges, and benefits of each alternative.
• Organizational impact: The IT manager has to analyze how the proposed system will affect the organization’s structure, culture, processes, and performance. The IT manager has to consider the stakeholders’ needs, expectations, and resistance to change. The IT manager has to ensure that the system aligns with the organization’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Financial constraints: The IT manager has to estimate the costs and benefits of each alternative, including the initial investment, operating expenses, maintenance costs, and return on investment. The IT manager has to compare the alternatives based on their financial viability and value for money. The IT manager has to secure the necessary funding and budget for the system. References: 1: EXIN EPI Certified InformationTechnology Manager, Module 6: IT Project Management, Section 6.3: System Analysis and Design, Page 6-11.

Globalization is the process of increasing economic, political, and cultural integration and interdependence across the world. Some of the impacts of globalization are:

• Rationalized manufacturing: Globalization enables firms to produce goods and services in different locations according to their comparative advantages, such as lower costs, higher quality, or better access to markets. This leads to more efficient and competitive production, as well as increased specialization and trade.
• Managing risk across currencies: Globalization exposes firms and individuals to fluctuations in exchange rates, which affect the value of their assets, liabilities, and incomes. To manage this risk, they may use various financial instruments, such as hedging, derivatives, or currency swaps, to reduce their exposure or benefit from favorable movements.
• Worldwide purchase: Globalization expands the range and availability of goods and services that consumers can purchase from different countries and regions. This increases consumer choice, lowers prices, and improves quality and variety. It also creates opportunities for cross-cultural learning and exchange.

References: 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/effects-economic-globalization/

https://byjus.com/commerce/globalisation/ https://byjus.com/commerce/globalisation/

 In a database, each row represents a single, implicitly structured data item in a table. A row is also called a record or a tuple. A record contains multiple fields, each one defined in a different column. A field is the intersection of a row and a column, and it holds a single value. A column is also called an attribute or a field name, and it defines the type and constraints of the data in that column. References:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13774547/in-databases-whats-the-difference-between-the-words-row-and-record

https://database.guide/what-is-a-row/

 An Integrated Global IT approach is a strategy that aims to align the IT functions and capabilities of a firm with its global business objectives and needs. One of the benefits of this approach is that it enables the firm to provide more consistent customer service internationally, by leveraging common platforms, standards, processes, and data across different regions and markets. This can enhance customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention, as well as reduce costs and risks associated with IT fragmentation and duplication. References: Integrated Global IT approach customer service, Toward an integrated technology operating model, Managing Global Customers: An Integrated Approach, Five steps to an integrated customer experience

In a multi-user design, one group usually develops the systems for use by another group. This is because different groups of users may have different needs, preferences, and expectations for the system. For example, a system that is designed for the accounting department may not be suitable for the marketing department, or a system that is designed for the managers may not be user-friendly for the employees. Therefore, a multi-user design involves identifying the target users, analyzing their requirements, designing the system accordingly, and testing the system with the users. A multi-user design also requires coordination and communication among the developers and the users, as well as among different user groups, to ensure that the system meets the needs and expectations of all stakeholders. References: Multi-User Operating System - GeeksforGeeks; Multiple Group Design: Definition & Examples - Study.com; Chapter 10: Information Systems Development

Development cost is the type of cost that is considered as actual costs of analysis, design, and installation for the system. Development cost includes the expenses incurred during the planning, designing, building, testing, and deploying of a system. Development cost is usually estimated before the start of a project and is used to measure the feasibility and profitability of a system. Development cost is also used to monitor the progress and performance of a project and to control the scope and quality of a system. References: CITM Course Outline, Module 4, Corporate IT Strategy, page 9. CITM Training Course, Cost, page 14. CITM Certification Overview, Exam Information, Course Outline, Module 4.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the best fit for the statement because it is the main memory of the computer system and is volatile. RAM is a type of computer memory that is used to store data that is currently being used by the computer’s operating system and applications. RAM is volatile because it loses its contents when the power supply to the computer is turned off or interrupted. RAM is also faster and more expensive than other types of memory, such as ROM, PROM, or hard disk, which are non-volatile and can retain data without power. RAM isdivided into two types: static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM), which differ in their speed, power consumption, and design. References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_memory

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zfyyb82/revision/1

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=information-technology-quiz_7

A foreign key is a column or a set of columns in one table that references the primary key of another table. It is used to create a link and relationship between tables in a relational database. A foreign key ensures that the values in the referencing table match the values in the referenced table, thus maintaining the referential integrity of the database12. A foreign key can also be used to implement constraints such as cascading updates or deletes3. References: 1: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 3: Database Management Systems, Page 41. 2: Types of Keys in Relational Model (Candidate, Super, Primary, Alternate and Foreign) 3: Database Keys: The Complete Guide (Surrogate, Natural, Composite & More)

Organizations are linked extensively to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in achieving their goals. By reducing cycle times, organizations can deliver their products or services faster and more responsively to their customers. By improving accuracy, organizations can reduce errors, waste, and rework, and enhance their quality and reliability. These outcomes can also increase the capability of the organization to meet the changing needs and expectations of the market and the stakeholders. References: Sample Exam - GAQM, page 1, question 1; The Future of Flexibility at Work, paragraph 4.

A transitional strategy is helpful in seeking global efficiency while retaining local responsiveness because it combines the benefits of both standardization and adaptation. A transitional strategy aims to achieve high levels of global integration and local responsiveness by leveraging the interdependence and learning among different units of the organization. A transitional strategy requires a complex and flexible organizational structure, a strong global culture, and effective coordination and communication mechanisms12. References: 1: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 4: Global IT Strategy 2: Balancing Global Synergies and Local Responsiveness | SpringerLink

Managerial control decisions are those that involve measuring and correcting the performance of activities of subordinates to ensure that the enterprise objectives and plans are being accomplished. Managerial control decisions fall between operational and strategic planning because they are concerned with both executing the strategy and tracking its progress. Operational control decisions are those that focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of specific processes, tasks, and functions. Strategic control decisions are those that evaluate the alignment of the strategy with the external and internal environment, and make adjustments if necessary. References: Managerial Control: Definition, Features, Scope, and Process, Types and Levels of Control – Principles of Management, The Control Function of Management - MIT Sloan Management Review

A malicious program that records a user’s keystrokes is an example of a Trojan horse. A Trojan horse is a type of malware that masquerades as a legitimate file or application, but secretly performs malicious actions in the background. A Trojan horse can be used to install other malware, such as keyloggers, on the victim’s device. A keylogger is a specific type of Trojan horse that captures and sends the user’skeystrokes to a remote attacker, who can use them to steal sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.

The other options are not correct because:

• Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements on the user’s device, often redirecting them to malicious websites or installing more malware. Adware does not necessarily record the user’s keystrokes, although some adware may have keylogging capabilities.
• An anti-virus program is a software that protects the user’s device from malware, such as viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, etc. An anti-virus program does not record the user’s keystrokes, but rather scans and removes any malicious programs that may do so.
• A performance monitor is a software that measures and displays the performance of the user’s device, such as CPU usage, memory usage, disk space, network traffic, etc. A performance monitor does not record the user’s keystrokes, but rather provides useful information for troubleshooting or optimizing the device.

References:

• CITM Study Guide, Chapter 7: IT Security Management, pp. 131-132
• What Is a keylogger and how to detect keystroke logging - Norton
• Keylogger: how to recover the infected pc? - Panda Security

Temporary work groups are formed for a specific purpose and usually dissolve after the task is completed. They may include employees of customers, suppliers or partner corporations who collaborate with the organization to achieve a common goal. For example, a temporary work group may be created to develop a new product, launch a marketing campaign, or implement a new system. Temporary work groups can benefit from the diverse perspectives, skills, and resources of their members, as well as foster innovation and learning. References: CITM Course Outline, Flexible Work Arrangements: Types and Benefits

Information can be defined as data that has been processed or organized in a meaningful way that reduces uncertainty. Information can be either tangible or intangible, depending on whether it has a physical form or not. For example, a printed report is tangible information, while an email is intangible information. Information can also be static or dynamic, depending on whether it changes over time or not. For example, a historical record is static information, while a stock price is dynamic information. However, the question asks for the two entities that define information, not the two attributes that describe information. Therefore, the correct answer is A and B, tangible and intangible. References: Sample Exam - GAQM, page 2, question 6.

Information processing is the exchange of information among people, processes and systems within an organization1. It is crucial for achieving business goals, making informed decisions and working efficiently2. To effectively deliver the information needed to decision makers, Management Information Systems (MIS) need to have the necessary components to collect, process, store and retrieve the information whenever it is needed3. The success of information processing depends on the alignment of MIS with the organizational strategy, structure and culture3. Therefore, the two management departments that are responsible for the success of information processing are top management and middle management. Top management is responsible for setting the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the organization, as well as defining the policies and procedures that guide the information flows3. Middle management is responsible for implementing the plans and strategies of top management, as well as coordinating and supervising the activities of lower-level managers and employees3. Both top and middle management need to ensure that the information systems are aligned with the business needs, and that the information flows are effective, efficient and secure3. References: 1: Practices for managing information flows within organizations12: Management Information Systems (MIS): Definition and How It Works23: Information management3

According to the CITM course outline1, there are five data collection techniques that are commonly used in business analytics. They are:

• Observations: This technique involves watching and recording the behavior, actions, or events of interest. Observations can be either direct or indirect, structured or unstructured, participant or non-participant.
• Interviews: This technique involves asking questions to individuals or groups of people who have relevant knowledge or experience on the topic. Interviews can be either structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, depending on the level of flexibility and standardization of the questions.
• Surveys: This technique involves administering a set of questions to a sample of respondents who represent the population of interest. Surveys can be either quantitative or qualitative, depending on the type and scale of the questions.
• Focus groups: This technique involves gathering a small group of people who share some common characteristics or opinions on the topic and facilitating a discussion among them. Focus groups can be used to explore attitudes, perceptions, feelings, or preferences of the participants.
• Documents: This technique involves reviewing and analyzing existing documents or records that are relevant to the topic. Documents can be either primary or secondary, depending on the source and authenticity of the information.

References:

• 1: 7 Data Collection Methods and Techniques | SafetyCulture
• 2: CITM 500 Data and Information Management | The Chang School of Continuing Education - Toronto Metropolitan University
• 3: Data Collection Methods | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples - Scribbr
• 4: Data Collection - Methods Types and Examples - Research Method

 Object-oriented analysis (OOA) is the first technical activity performed as part of object-oriented software engineering. OOA involves modeling the problem domain using objects and their interactions. According to the CITM study guide, there are five steps involved to undertake an object-oriented analysis1:

• Find and define the objects
• Organize the objects
• Describe how the objects interact with one another
• Define the external behavior of the objects
• Define the internal behavior of the objects References: 1: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 4: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Page 63-64.

Rotational delay is the time it takes for the desired sector of the disk to rotate under the read-write head after the head has been positioned at the correct track. It depends on the rotational speed of the disk and the position of the sector relative to the head. It is one of the components of data access delay, along with seek time, transmission delay, and processing delay. References: Delays in Computer Network - GeeksforGeeks, Access time - Wikipedia

A decompiler is a program that translates from a low-level language to a higher level one. A low-level language is one that is close to the machine code, such as assembly or binary. A higher level language is one that is more abstract and human-readable, such as C++ or Java. A decompiler can reverse-engineer the source code from an executable file, which can be useful for debugging, analysis, or modification purposes. However, decompilation is not always possible or accurate, as some information may be lost or obfuscated during the compilation process12. References: 1: What is a compiler? How source code becomes machine code12: How does an interpreter/compiler work2

Systems analysis is the second step in the Systems Design Life Cycle (SDLC), which is a process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying an information system. Systems analysis involves gathering and analyzing the requirements of the system, such as the user needs, the business objectives, and the functional specifications. Systems analysis also involves modeling the system using various techniques, such as data flow diagrams, entity-relationship diagrams, and use case diagrams. Systems analysis helps to define the scope and boundaries of the system, as well as the inputs, outputs, processes, and data structures. Systems analysis is essential for ensuring that the system design meets the expectations and needs of the stakeholders. References: 1, 2, 3, 4

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/system-design-life-cycle-phases-models-and-use-cases/

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/system-development-life-cycle/

Interpreting information means understanding its meaning and implications in a given context. Two factors that are important while considering interpreting information are external and situational. External factors refer to the sources, reliability, validity, and timeliness of the information. Situational factors refer to the purpose, audience, and expectations of the information. These factors help to evaluate the relevance, accuracy, and usefulness of the information for a specific situation or problem. References: Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM) - gaqm.org, page 7; Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM) - GAQM, Module 2 – Understanding and Interpreting Information.

A primary key is a column or combination of columns that contain values that uniquely identify each row in the table. It enforces the entity integrity of the table and prevents the insertion of duplicate rows. A table can have only one primary key, which is usually defined on an identity column or a column with not null and unique constraints. A primary key also creates a unique index for the table, which allows fast access to data when the primary key is used in queries12. References: 1: Primary and Foreign Key Constraints - SQL Server12: Primary and Foreign Key in SQL With Examples - DataFlair2

Multiprocessing is a feature that supports more than one processor in a computer system. It allows multiple processes to run concurrently on multiple CPUs (or cores), thus increasing the performance and throughput of the system12. Multiprocessing can be achieved by using either multiple physical processors or a single processor with multiple cores3. Multiprocessing can also be classified into symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) and asymmetric multiprocessing (AMP), depending on how the processors are coordinated and share resources4.

Multiprocessing is different from other features such as multiprogramming, multitasking, and multithreading. Multiprogramming is the ability of an operating system to keep multiple programs in the main memory at the same time, ready for execution5. Multitasking is the ability of an operating system to switch between multiple tasks (applications) on a single CPU, giving the illusion of parallelism6. Multithreading is the ability of an application to create multiple threads of execution within a single task, sharing the same memory space and resources7. These features aim to maximize the utilization of CPU and memory, but they do not require more than oneprocessor. References: 1: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 2: Computer Architecture, Page 24-25. 2: Multiprocessing 3: What is Multiprocessing? 4: Symmetric vs. Asymmetric Multiprocessing: What’s the Difference? 5: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 1: Operating Systems, Page 9. 6: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 1: Operating Systems, Page 10. 7: CITM Study Guide, Chapter 4: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Page 64.

A client-server environment is a type of distributed system that divides the application logic into three layers: presentation, application, and data. The presentation layer is responsible for the user interface and interaction, the application layer contains the business logic and functionality, and the data layer manages the storage and retrieval of data. Each layer can run on a different machine or server, allowing for scalability, modularity, and security1234 References:

• 1: Client Server Architecture: Types, Examples, & Benefits
• 2: Client-Server Model - GeeksforGeeks
• 3: What is Three-Tier Architecture | IBM
• 4: Figure 1. The Client/Server Computing Environment - IBM