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Info 1409 Systems Analysis & Design Module

Lecture 5 - Feasibility

HND Year 12008/9

De Montfort University

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Objectives

The objectives of this lecture are to build on our previous lecture (4) which explained the following 4 topics:

Analyzing the Business Case Systems Requests Users and their requirements

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Preliminary Investigation

This lecture is concerned with the

The Preliminary investigation stage of the S.D.L.C.

This investigation stage follows the system request

It includes a Feasibility study.

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Lecture objectives

By the end of this lecture you will:

Have learned about the types of feasibility that need to be considered

Have examined some of the techniques used in project management

Been introduced to the preliminary investigation model.

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Project Planning The Preliminary investigation is

conducted by the Systems Analyst who follows a series of steps.

Sometimes project management tools are used (e.g. Microsoft Project software)

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Microsoft Project enables a project manager to define project tasks, list activities and participants, plan the sequence of work, estimate project milestone dates, and track all costs.

Fig 2.11 Shelley et al

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Project software

Specialist software also provides a way of documenting the request formally

The following slide shows an example of an on-line request form.

Managers and analysts can then examine this to determine just what is required.

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Example of an on-line request form

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Risk Management

Every IT project involves risks.

A risk is an event which could affect the project negatively

Risk management is the process of identifying, controlling and evaluating risks.

Risk management also involves information handling.

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Evaluation of request

In order to evaluate the system request

Often a group of key managers and users form a systems revue committee

The objective is to use their combined judgment and experience to evaluate the project.

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Feasibility Studies

A system request must pass a series of tests

The results of these tests form the ‘Feasibility study’

The feasibility study will help to decide whether to proceed or not.

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The need for Feasibility studies

Figure 2.13 on the following slide shows that a feasibility study uses 4 main yardsticks to measure a proposal.

(figure 2.12 taken from text book Shelley et al) & student learning tool.

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We will examine each of these in turn in the following slides

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Operational Feasibility

Operational feasibility means that the proposed system will be used effectively after it has been developed.

Questions:Will users have difficulty with the new

system?Will it provide the expected benefits?

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Technical Feasibility

Technical Feasibility refers to the technical resources needed to develop, purchase, install or operate the system.

Questions:

Does the company have the necessary hardware, software and network resources?

Does the company have the needed technical expertise?

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Economic Feasibility

Economic feasibility means that the projected benefits will outweigh the estimated costs of the project.

Questions:What are the tangible benefits?What is the cost of developing/not

developing the system?What are the intangible benefits?

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Schedule Feasibility

Schedule feasibility means that the project can be implemented in an acceptable time.

Questions:Has management established a firm

timetable for the project?Will an accelerated schedule pose any

risks?Might these risks be acceptable?

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Setting Priorities

The work of the systems revue committee includes the following:

Rejecting system requests that are not feasible.

Giving highest priority to projects that provide the greatest benefits.

Setting the priorities.

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Preliminary Investigation Overview

P63 Shelley et al

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Activities time

The first 19 slides describe the process of project management from a system request to the completion of the preliminary investigation.

Working in twos, create a model to show these initial stages. Use rectangles for the stages and list the activities in each.

You only have 5 mins.

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Feedback time:

What stages did you identify?This is your chance to comment or

feedback –Use it!

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Preliminary Investigation planning

Before the Investigation begins the Analyst needs to plan the process.

Planning the investigation involves a number of steps.

23P64 Shelley et al

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Completion of stage 1

The investigation is completed when:

The system request has been evaluated Priorities are set A feasibility report has been prepared

and sent to management Management have considered the

available options and made a decision.

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Analysis Activities

The exact procedure for the preliminary investigation depends upon the following:

1. The nature of the request2. the size of the project 3. the degree of urgency

(The activities of the Analyst will be examined in more detail in later Lectures).

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In conclusion

At the end of this lecture you have:

Been introduced to the different types of feasibility

Examined the techniques used in the preliminary investigation stage.

Know what is meant by the preliminary investigation model

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Background reading

(Phase 1)– Chapter 2

Systems Analysis & Design. Shelley Cashman and Rosenblatt

6th/7th EditionThomson Course Technology 2006/7