Introduction

2022 SA am1

01-02: https://blog.yexca.net/archives/184
03-05: https://blog.yexca.net/archives/185
06-10: https://blog.yexca.net/archives/186
11-15: https://blog.yexca.net/archives/189
16-30: https://blog.yexca.net/archives/190

Going through this entire paper, a lot of it feels like the Software Designer exam. I guess some common subjects have lower requirements for software development, while specialized papers might be tougher. Many technical terms are hard to grasp at first, but once translated, the problems are manageable. Memorizing those terms is definitely key.

Question 16

In the following flowchart, which is the minimum set of test cases required to satisfy branch coverage?

A: (1) A=0, B=0 (2) A=1, B=1

B: (1) A=1, B=0 (2) A=1, B=1

C: (1) A=0, B=0 (2) A=1, B=1 (3) A=1, B=0

D: (1) A=0, B=0 (2) A=0, B=1 (3) A=1, B=0

This question asks for the minimum number of test cases to hit every branch. No detailed analysis needed; the answer is Option B (イ).

Question 17

No problems have occurred, but to resolve inconsistencies between the program specifications and the current source code, reverse engineering is used to rewrite the specifications. Which category of software maintenance does this fall into?

A: Perfective Maintenance

B: Corrective Maintenance

C: Adaptive Maintenance

D: Preventive Maintenance

Translation/Analysis:
Old memories are coming back to haunt me—I learned this but forgot it all.

• Perfective Maintenance: Enhancing software functions, performance, or quality to meet new requirements.
• Corrective Maintenance: Fixing defects or errors in the software.
• Adaptive Maintenance: Adapting software to environmental changes (like a new OS or hardware).
• Preventive Maintenance: Performing maintenance to prevent potential problems before they happen.

So, the answer is Option D (エ).

Question 18

An organization uses Earned Value Management (EVM) to manage project schedule and cost. For a 10-day project, the status at the end of day 5 is shown in the table. If the cost efficiency remains the same, what is the Estimated at Completion (EAC) in ten thousand yen?

A: 110

B: 120

C: 135

D: 150

Analysis:
This is new territory for me. The formula for Estimated at Completion (EAC) is:

Where CPI (Cost Performance Index) is:

Plugging in the numbers:

The answer is Option D (エ).

Question 19

In a software development project, what is the shortest duration (in days) required to complete all tasks in the table?

A: 80

B: 95

C: 100

D: 120

Analysis:
Just draw the network diagram. It’s a straightforward one. The answer is Option C (ウ).

Question 20

In ITIL 2011 edition, an example of a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Availability Management is shortening the “metric representing maintainability.” Which of the following corresponds to a maintainability metric?

A: Number of interruptions within a certain period

B: Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)

C: Mean Time Between Service Incidents (MTBSI)

D: Mean Time to Restore Service (MTTRS)

Analysis:
In ITIL Availability Management, maintainability usually refers to the ability to restore or repair a system after a failure, rather than the frequency of failures. Mean Time to Restore Service (MTTRS) describes recovery speed—how long it takes on average to get back up. The answer is Option D (エ).

Question 21

In the construction and operation of core business systems, if a Data Administrator (DA) and a Database Administrator (DBA) are appointed separately, which of the following is an appropriate role for the DA?

A: Tracking trends in business data volume growth and planning disk expansions.

B: During the design phase, primarily performing logical database design and managing/standardizing data items.

C: During the testing phase, primarily handling performance tuning.

D: When a system failure occurs, performing data recovery and consistency checks.

Analysis:
A Data Administrator (DA) focuses on logical data management, including data standards, definitions, and logical design. The DBA usually handles hardware resources, performance tuning, and recovery. The answer is Option B (イ).

Question 22

Regarding the acquisition and evaluation of audit evidence, which description is inappropriate according to the System Audit Standards (2018)?

A: In an Agile system development project, only documents formatted as formal management documents can be used as audit evidence.

B: In an audit of an outsourced business site, if the auditor decides they can rely on a third-party assurance report from the contractor, the on-site survey can be omitted.

C: Before the main investigation to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, a preliminary investigation is conducted to understand the actual state of the audit target.

D: For a single audit objective, multiple audit procedures are usually combined to perform the audit.

Analysis:
I didn’t know this specific standard, but system audit standards don’t mandate that Agile project evidence must be “formally formatted management documents.” In practice, informal docs (meeting minutes, code repos, boards) are valid evidence of actual status. The answer is Option A (ア).

Question 23

Which of the following is the explanation for BPO?

A: Constructing a mechanism to ensure important business operations are not interrupted, or the interruption period is minimized, even after damage from disasters or accidents.

B: Outsourcing some or all non-core business operations to specialized external companies.

C: A production management method that determines the required quantity and timing of materials based on a master production schedule, Bill of Materials (BOM), and inventory info.

D: Evaluating projects based on strategic alignment, cost-effectiveness, and risk to manage and optimize the balance of IT investment.

Analysis:
BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) is about delegating non-core tasks to external pros to focus on core business. The answer is Option B (イ).

• Option A is Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
• Option C is Material Requirements Planning (MRP).
• Option D is Project Portfolio Management (PPM).

Question 24

In IT investment evaluation methods, which metric calculates how many years it takes to recover the initial cash outflow based on cash flow?

A: IRR (Internal Rate of Return)

B: NPV (Net Present Value)

C: PBP (Pay Back Period)

D: ROI (Return On Investment)

Analysis:

• IRR: The discount rate where NPV equals zero; measures profitability.
• NPV: Sum of present values of future cash flows minus initial investment.
• PBP: Payback Period; the answer.
• ROI: Ratio of profit to investment cost.

The answer is C (ウ).

Question 25

Among UML diagrams, which one is used in business requirements definition to describe business flows and can represent branching, parallel processing, and synchronization?

A: Activity Diagram

B: Class Diagram

C: State Machine Diagram

D: Use Case Diagram

Analysis:
Activity diagrams are perfect for business processes, showing branches, parallel paths, and synchronization. Class diagrams show static structure. State machine diagrams show object lifecycles. Use case diagrams define functional requirements and actor interactions. The answer is Option A (ア).

Question 26

In PPM (Product Portfolio Management), which business is positioned as a source of investment funds?

A: High market growth rate, high relative market share.

B: High market growth rate, low relative market share.

C: Low market growth rate, high relative market share.

D: Low market growth rate, low relative market share.

Analysis:
In the BCG matrix (PPM), this is the “Cash Cow.” High market share brings stable cash flow, while low growth means minimal need for reinvestment, making it a source of funds for other ventures. The answer is Option C (ウ).

Question 27

In the semiconductor industry, what is a characteristic business model of a foundry company compared to a fabless company?

A: Outsourcing production to factories to reduce investment in production equipment.

B: Focusing on the design and marketing of their own products to open new markets.

C: Focusing on selling their own products to expand sales.

D: Specialized in taking on production contracts from multiple companies to produce many products at low cost.

Analysis:
Foundries focus on manufacturing. They don’t design their own chips; they provide production services for others. This allows for high-volume, low-cost production. The answer is Option D (エ).

Question 28

Which type of information is the primary target of XBRL?

A: Medical charts/records.

B: Corporate customer information.

C: Corporate financial information.

D: Local government resident information.

Analysis:
XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) is a standard for business and financial reporting. The answer is Option C (ウ).

Question 29

Which of the following is a characteristic of PM theory in leadership studies?

A: Focuses on analyzing personal traits like personality, intelligence, and appearance of great leaders.

B: Focuses on two dimensions of leadership style: Performance (goal achievement) and Maintenance (group maintenance).

C: Leadership effectiveness depends on the situational factor of subordinate maturity (autonomy).

D: Leadership effectiveness depends on the leader’s personality and situational factors like control and influence.

Analysis:
PM theory (Performance-Maintenance) argues leadership style is built on those two dimensions. The answer is Option B (イ).

Question 30

Company A commissioned Company B to create a sales management system program based on Company A’s requirements, without any specific agreement regarding copyright. In this case, which description of the original attribution of the program copyright is appropriate?

A: Company A and B negotiate to decide attribution.

B: It is jointly owned by Company A and B.

C: It belongs to Company A.

D: It belongs to Company B.

Analysis:
Without a specific agreement, under Japanese copyright law (similar to China), the copyright of a work created under contract usually belongs to the actual creator, which is Company B. It only goes to the client (Company A) if the contract explicitly says so. The answer is Option D (エ).