The goal of the Critical Assignment is to give you an opportunity to think critically regarding a real-world ethical issue in the information systems realm, and apply the knowledge and skills that you have acquired throughout the course.
1) Revisit the Case Study titled “Software Controls Nuclear Power Plants.” The case study is attached as a PDF document.
2) In 4-6 pages total, answer the following four (4) questions as they relate to the case study:
What data was used to make the decision to select the information system? Was this the best way to select the system? What alternative method of selection could Duke Energy have chosen? Please describe at least one alternative method.
Assess the importance of each of the functional systems that were implemented in this situation. How would you rank the systems in order of importance? Explain.
At first glance, you might think a system that uses computers and software to control a nuclear plant has more ways to fail than a system that doesn’t use them and is, therefore, at greater risk of failure. Why is a computer-controlled nuclear power system not at a greater risk of failure?
Computers are increasingly used to control systems that affect human lives. Besides nuclear power plants, examples include passenger aircraft, elevators, and medical equipment. Why it is important that programmers who write software for those systems be licensed, be certified, or be required to pass standardized official examination? Please use scripture(s), moral principles, and/or spiritual principles to provide rationale for your response.
textbook
Stair, R. (2018). Fundamentals of Information Systems, Ninth Edition. New York: Cengage Publishing. 978-1-337-09753-6
