Feasibility study

Basically in software development it is important for the developers to carry out the feasibility
analysis. This is supposed to be done because it enables the developer of the system to have full
assessment of the system being developed.

Preliminary investigation

By talking preliminary investigation it enables the developer of the system to know whether the
system is feasible of not. Basically when conducting the study, there are three distinct and
interrelated areas which are taken into account. They are as follows

1. Technical Feasibility

Technical feasibility is done so as to have an assessment on the technical viability of the system
that was to be developed. Generally when conducting the technical feasibility there is need to
tackle questions like:

 Will the developer be able to develop a system that meet the user requirements?
 Are there already supporting infrastructure and hardware to support the
development and implementation of the system?

When developing a system there are certain software packages and resources which are needed
so as to come up with an effective and useful software. This packages includes;

 Python
 Firebase
 Sql
 Html
 Flask
 Visual Studio Code
 Blueprint
 Android studio
All the above software packages are available and in their most up to date versions. There are
already established supporting infrastructure and services to enable easy implementation and
accessibility of the system such as LAN and network availability from the service providers such
as Econet, Net One and Telecel among others. From the developer perspective, it is feasible to
develop the system since most of the Zimbabweans are able to use mobile cell phones and they
are all loyal customers of local products. Customers only need to have a mobile device that have
a QR code reader, camera and based on the smartphone adoption in Zimbabwe, most of them
already have the required devices for the implementation of the system.

Hardware Requirements

The available PC that will be used in the development of the system has the following
specifications:

 1000GB Hard Disk space

 4GB RAM

 3GHz Core i3 Processor

With regards to the hardware requirements, the project is feasible since the minimum
requirements are not only met but surpassed.

Economic Feasibility (Cost / Benefit Analysis)

By carrying out the economic feasibility the system developer is trying to find out the weigh the
cost they are expected to be incurred against the existing ways which are being done to locate
and with the customers whenever they need products and assess the benefits. From the technical
point of view, there is no need to acquire new technologies or infrastructure but to utilize the
readily available technologies and leverage them to locate, advertise and communicates.
Software required is available in freeware and hardware and networks are readily available.

Component Cost($)
Emulator Free open source software
Android studio Free
 Bootstrapping Free open source software
Xampp Free open source software
SQL Free open source software

COSTS FOR DEVELOPMENT AMOUNT ($)

Operational Feasibility

According to Giorgini (2003) operational feasibility aims to find, if the system developed can be
useable? So basically it assesses the impact of the system on the existing business practices and
how the system will cope with what it is expected to do. Operational feasibility aspects of the
project is to be taken as an important part of the project implementation. Operational feasibility
defines the urgency of the problem and the acceptability of the proposed solution. The study
includes people orientation and social issues which include manpower problems, labour
objections, supervisor perceptions and resistance, organizational conflicts and external policies
which include government, legal regulations and social acceptability of the new system.

From the analysis made by POTRAZ, the literacy rate and the use of android mobile application
in Zimbabwe including those in the rural is high thus guaranteeing easy usability of the system
by customers everywhere around the country, since they have the capacity to operate their smart
mobile phone while help can be offered by anyone. With the free availability of QR code reader
for mobiles, customers are to scanner the QR code of the products even if they find any empty
packages of the product.

QR code locating and advertising system will be developed in the manner that it will be locate n
customers where to get the products by jus scanning the QR code which will be on the product
package. The QR code will be placed where customers can easily find it so that it may not take
much of their time. There will be need to distribute the QR code reader into customer’s mobile
phones like what Econet is doing on Kweseiflix application. The system is socially acceptable in
the manner that it markets local products and also informs customers where it get the products.

The PIECES framework by Giorgini (2003) was also used to assess the operability of the
system:

Performance – the proposed system will be able to identify where the customer is and be able to
direct the customer where to get the products.

Information – the proposed system will provide the manufacturers and customers with accurate
useful information at any time when the QR codes of their products are scanned and the system
should send a feedback about where to get the products as requested by the customers.

Economy - the proposed system is cost sustainable and cost efficiency due to the use of free
open source software’s and use of he already existing resources such as mobile phones.

Control - The proposed mode of operation has effective controls to protect data against
security threats, accuracy and redundancy of data is taken care of.

Efficiency – The systems is also efficient in terms of speed and transportation of information
from manufacturer to the customers.

Services - the proposed system cater for after services and feedback.

From the feasibility study, developing a QR code locating and advertising system is feasible and
the way that is currently used to locate and communicate with customers is not economic to
retailers and customers hence there is need for a new system development to reduce the costs and
inefficiencies currently being faced.

Risk analysis

Scanning may take long

Sometimes scanning a QR code is not as easy or intuitive because users may need to get their
phones, open their QR code reader application and scan the code in front of them. Furthermore
scanning the QR code will need the customer to align the QR code with the camera. The entire
process can be long and frustrating especially to the elderly people.

Curiosity Wears Off

Because QR codes are relatively new, the curiosity that encourages people to pull out their
phones and scan a code may wear off. Moreover, excessive use of these codes can drive people
away, since they might start associating them with spam for instance Zimbabweans may come up
with products with QR codes which they want to use for hacking customer or tracing them.

Not Accessible to Everyone

In Zimbabwe most of the elderly people who live in rural areas they do not use smart phones
with cameras. This means that to customers who may want the products may not have any idea
about where to get the products. Furthermore, there is need for customers to install the QR code
reader which may be easy to get because they be need to connect to Wi-Fi so some customers
may not find it necessary. Sometimes marketers forget that there is a very small number of
people who are aware of QR codes so there will be need for teaching customers. It requires
phone with camera which makes it costly for the common users to afford. 
It requires installation of QR code reader software or application in order to scan the QR code
image which is not possible in all the types of mobile phones. 

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