1. GuideText pgs 20-21 MGS 3040-03 Group A Kevin Rasimowicz and Ghandi More

2. 1. Consider the following statement: “ The quality of your thinking is the most important component of an information system. ” Do you agree with this statement? Do you think it is even possible to say that one component is the most important one? 2. The text claims that although it is not possible to increase your IQ, it is possible to improve the quality of your thinking. Do you agree? Whether or not you agree, give three examples that illustrate differences in quality of thinking. They can be all from one person or they can be examples of three different people. 3. Though it does not appear to be so, the statement, “ There are five components of an information system: hardware, software, data, procedures and people ” is an opinion based on perspective. Suppose you stated this to a computer engineer who said “ Rubbish. That ’ s not true at all. The only components that count are hardware and maybe software. ” Contrast the perspective of the engineer with that of your MIS professor. How do those perspectives influence their opinions about the five- components framework? Which is correct? 4. Do you think someone can improve the quality of his and her thinking by learning to hold multiple, contradictory ideas in mind at the same time? Or, do you think that doing so just leads to indecisive and ineffective thinking? Discuss the question with some of your friends. What do they think? What are their perspectives?

3. You are part of every information system you use. Your quality of thinking is a large part of the quality of the information system. You can understand and evaluate new information systems by evaluating and asking questions about each component separately and then as a whole system. The five components can also be evaluated based on the order of difficulty and disruption - hardware is the easiest part while people are the most difficult.

4. The quality of our thinking is the primary determinant of the quality of our lives. The secret of the power of positive thinking is that, if you motivate yourself positively, then you will definitely achieve your goals. Everything we know, everything we believe, want, fear, and hope for is our way of thinking. It’s known to be true that your diet and your physical fitness all contribute to your health is part of your thinking.

5. The engineers perspective of the five- components is that only the components on the computer side are important. The perspective of the MIS Professor is that the five-components as a whole are what makes the system work, without people the computers cannot create a complete system. The five components all working together will make a more complete and better working system because the components help to balance each other out.

6. The quality of a persons thinking will be enhanced by holding multiple and contradictory ideas. It helps the person keep an open mind to make informed decisions. A persons ability to separate each idea from the others will lead to more decisive thinking and will improve the quality of thinking.