Topic 4
Topic 4
Topic 4
Advantages
It is a direct method for gleaning information.
It is useful in situation where authenticity of data collected is in question or when
complexity of certain aspects of system prevents clear explanation by end-users.
It produces more accurate and reliable data.
It produces all the aspect of documentation that are incomplete and outdated.
FEASIBILITY STUDY
Feasibility Study can be considered as preliminary investigation that helps the management to
take decision about whether study of system should be feasible for development or not.
It identifies the possibility of improving an existing system, developing a new system,
and produce refined estimates for further development of system.
It is used to obtain the outline of the problem and decide whether feasible or appropriate
solution exists or not.
The main objective of a feasibility study is to acquire problem scope instead of solving
the problem.
The output of a feasibility study is a formal system proposal act as decision document
which includes the complete nature and scope of the proposed system.
Steps Involved in Feasibility Analysis
The following steps are to be followed while performing feasibility analysis −
Form a project team and appoint a project leader.
Develop system flowcharts.
Identify the deficiencies of current system and set goals.
Enumerate the alternative solution or potential candidate system to meet goals.
Determine the feasibility of each alternative such as technical feasibility, operational
feasibility, etc.
Weight the performance and cost effectiveness of each candidate system.
Rank the other alternatives and select the best candidate system.
Prepare a system proposal of final project directive to management for approval.
Types of Feasibilities
1. Economic Feasibility
It is evaluating the effectiveness of candidate system by using cost/benefit analysis
method.
It demonstrates the net benefit from the candidate system in terms of benefits and costs to
the organization.
The main aim of Economic Feasibility Analysis (EFS) is to estimate the economic
requirements of candidate system before investments funds are committed to proposal.
It prefers the alternative which will maximize the net worth of organization by earliest
and highest return of funds along with lowest level of risk involved in developing the
candidate system.
2. Technical Feasibility
It investigates the technical feasibility of each implementation alternative.
It analyzes and determines whether the solution can be supported by existing technology
or not.
The analyst determines whether current technical resources be upgraded or added it that
fulfill the new requirements.
It ensures that the candidate system provides appropriate responses to what extent it can
support the technical enhancement.
3. Operational Feasibility
It determines whether the system is operating effectively once it is developed and
implemented.
It ensures that the management should support the proposed system and its working
feasible in the current organizational environment.
It analyzes whether the users will be affected and they accept the modified or new
business methods that affect the possible system benefits.
It also ensures that the computer resources and network architecture of candidate system
are workable.
4. Behavioral Feasibility
It evaluates and estimates the user attitude or behavior towards the development of new
system.
It helps in determining if the system requires special effort to educate, retrain, transfer,
and changes in employee’s job status on new ways of conducting business.
5. Schedule Feasibility
It ensures that the project should be completed within given time constraint or schedule.
It also verifies and validates whether the deadlines of project are reasonable or not.
SYSTEM DESIGN
System design is the phase that bridges the gap between problem domain and the existing
system in a manageable way. This phase focuses on the solution domain, i.e. “how to
implement?”
It is the phase where the SRS document is converted into a format that can be implemented and
decides how the system will operate.
In this phase, the complex activity of system development is divided into several smaller sub-
activities, which coordinate with each other to achieve the main objective of system
development.
SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation is a process of ensuring that the information system is operational. It involves −
Constructing a new system from scratch
Constructing a new system from the existing one.
Implementation allows the users to take over its operation for use and evaluation. It involves
training the users to handle the system and plan for a smooth conversion.
A. TRAINING
The personnel in the system must know in detail what their roles will be, how they can use the
system, and what the system will or will not do. The success or failure of welldesigned and
technically elegant systems can depend on the way they are operated and used.
Training Systems Operators
Systems operators must be trained properly such that they can handle all possible operations,
both routine and extraordinary. The operators should be trained in what common malfunctions
may occur, how to recognize them, and what steps to take when they come.
Training involves creating troubleshooting lists to identify possible problems and remedies for
them, as well as the names and telephone numbers of individuals to contact when unexpected or
unusual problems arise.
Training also involves familiarization with run procedures, which involves working through the
sequence of activities needed to use a new system.
User Training
End-user training is an important part of the computer-based information system
development, which must be provided to employees to enable them to do their own
problem solving.
User training involves how to operate the equipment, troubleshooting the system
problem, determining whether a problem that arose is caused by the equipment or
software.
Most user training deals with the operation of the system itself. The training courses must
be designed to help the user with fast mobilization for the organization.
Training Guidelines
Establishing measurable objectives
Using appropriate training methods
Selecting suitable training sites
Employing understandable training materials
Training methods
1. Instructor-led training
It involves both trainers and trainees, who have to meet at the same time, but not necessarily at
the same place. The training session could be one-on-one or collaborative. It is of two types −
Virtual Classroom
In this training, trainers must meet the trainees at the same time, but are not required to be at the
same place. The primary tools used here are: video conferencing, text based Internet relay chat
tools, or virtual reality packages, etc.
Normal Classroom
The trainers must meet the trainees at the same time and at the same place. They primary tools
used here are blackboard, overhead projectors, LCD projector, etc.
2. Self-Paced Training
It involves both trainers and trainees, who do not need to meet at the same place or at the same
time. The trainees learn the skills themselves by accessing the courses at their own convenience.
It is of two types −
3. Multimedia Training
In this training, courses are presented in multimedia format and stored on CD-ROM. It
minimizes the cost in developing an in-house training course without assistance from external
programmers.
4. Web-based Training
In this training, courses are often presented in hyper media format and developed to support
internet and intranet. It provides just–in-time training for end users and allow organization to
tailor training requirements.
B. Conversion
It is a process of migrating from the old system to the new one. It provides understandable and
structured approach to improve the communication between management and project team.
Conversion Plan
It contains description of all the activities that must occur during implementation of the new
system and put it into operation. It anticipates possible problems and solutions to deal with
them.It includes the following activities −
Name all files for conversions.
Identifying the data requirements to develop new files during conversion.
Listing all the new documents and procedures that are required.
Identifying the controls to be used in each activity.
Identifying the responsibility of person for each activity.
Verifying conversion schedules.
Conversion Methods
The four methods of conversion are −
Parallel Conversion
Direct Cutover Conversion
Pilot Approach
Phase-In Method
Method Description Advantages Disadvantages
Provides fallback when
new system fails. Causes cost overruns.
Parallel Old and new systems are used
Conversion simultaneously. Offers greatest security New system may not
and ultimately testing of get fair trail.
new system.
Forces users to make No fall back if
Direct New system is implemented and new system work problems arise with
Cutover old system is replaced Immediate benefit from new system
Conversion completely. new methods and Requires most careful
control. planning
Pilot Supports phased approach that Allows training and A long term phasein
Approach gradually implement system installation without causes a problem of
unnecessary use of
resources.
whether conversion
across all users Avoid large goes well or not.
contingencies from risk
management.
Provides experience and
Working version of system line test before
implemented in one part of implementation Gives impression that
Phase-In organization based on feedback,
When preferred new old system is erroneous
Method it is installed throughout the
and it is not reliable.
organization all alone or stage by system involves new
stage. technology or drastic
changes in performance.
File Conversion
It is a process of converting one file format into another. For example, file in WordPerfect format
can be converted into Microsoft Word.
For successful conversion, a conversion plan is required, which includes −
Knowledge of the target system and understanding of the present system
Teamwork
Automated methods, testing and parallel operations
Continuous support for correcting problems
Updating systems/user documentation, etc.
Many popular applications support opening and saving to other file formats of the same type. For
example, Microsoft Word can open and save files in many other word processing formats.
POST-IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION REVIEW (PIER)
PIER is a tool or standard approach for evaluating the outcome of the project and determine
whether the project is producing the expected benefits to the processes, products or services. It
enables the user to verify that the project or system has achieved its desired outcome within
specified time period and planned cost. PIER ensures that the project has met its goals by
evaluating the development and management processes of the project.
Objectives of PIER
The objectives of having a PIER are as follows −
To determine the success of a project against the projected costs, benefits, and timelines.
To identify the opportunities to add additional value to the project.
To determine strengths and weaknesses of the project for future reference and appropriate
action.
To make recommendations on the future of the project by refining cost estimating
techniques.
The following staff members should be included in the review process −
Project team and Management
User staff
Strategic Management Staff
External users
Maintenance Types
System maintenance can be classified into three types −
Corrective Maintenance − Enables user to carry out the repairing and correcting
leftover problems.
Adaptive Maintenance − Enables user to replace the functions of the programs.
Perfective Maintenance − Enables user to modify or enhance the programs according to
the users’ requirements and changing needs
METHODS OF SOFTWARE ACQUISITION
Evaluating Software Alternatives
Examine software alternatives and select an overall strategy for the proposed system to prepare
for the transition to the systems design phase.
1. Custom Developed Software
Some businesses consider that their processing requirements are specific to their own
organization and they have the application software developed specifically.
3. Contract an External Software – The company could use the services of a computer bureau or
software house, especially if it is a small organization which couldn't afford
a fulltime development team.
The resultant software is known as Custom-developed or Tailor-made Software since it exactly
fits the requirements of the organization, just as a tailor-made suit exactly fits the purchaser.
Advantages of Custom Developed Software
The advantages of this type of applications software development is that the resultant program
will exactly fulfill the processing requirements.
Reasons for In-House Developing
1. Satisfy Unique Business Requirements
No commercially available software package can meet their unique business requirements.
2. Minimize Chances in Business Procedures and Policies
3. While installing a new software package almost always requires some degree of change in
how a company does business If the installation of a purchased package will
be too disruptive, then the organization might decide to develop its own software instead.
4. Meet Constraints of Existing Systems: Any new software installed must work with
existing systems. Ensure that the new system will interface with
the old system.
5. Meet Constraints of Existing Technology: Another reason to develop software in-house is
that the new system must work with existing hardware and legacy systems
6. Develop Internal Resources and Capabilities: Many firms feel that in-house IT resources and
capabilities provide a competitive advantage because they can respond quickly when
business problems or opportunities arise.