Feasibility Study & System Design
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WHAT IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY?
A feasibility study is the first stage in the systems life cycle. It helps businesses decide if converting from a manual to an information technology method is going to be successful and worthwhile.
A feasibility study gives a company the opportunity to either
- halt the systems design process and stay with the manual method
or
- continue developing a new information technology system and say what things they would like to be automated using IT.
WHAT IS SYSTEM DESIGN?
System design is the name given to the entire process of designing a new information technology system. It ranges from the initial feasibility study and idea-planning to installing the final system and providing technical support and assistance for it.
THE SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE
The system life cycle is the name given to a group of tasks which are always carried out when a new information technology system is being designed and implemented. You will be most familiar with this cycle as you will have performed many of it's stages for your GCSE coursework.
Feasibility Study
- this is the first stage
- see the above notes
Analysis
- this stage marks the completion of the feasibility study
= the system design process only continues if the
proposed system is found to be feasible
- the existing system is studied to find out
- what features the current system has
- what additional features should be incorporated
- this is done by systems analysts who
- ask users of the current system for their opinion of it
= ask them for improvements
- observe the manual system and look at how it works
- use the system for themselves to see where there are
errors, weaknesses or problems that could be improved
in the new system
- systems analyst then
- estimates what will be needed for the new system
- specifies what the new system is to do and how it is to
operate
- analysis will usually be completed with the help of the company
who want the new system installed, so that it can adequately
meet their user requirements
Design
- at this stage every part of the new IT system is carefully
thought out and designed
- any new hardware and software that may be required is
identified
- the type of program to use for the new system is decided upon
- a general purpose package that is already available,
such as MS Access = cheaper method
- a customised program created by a high-level
programming language = more expensive method
- the user interface is decided upon
- the structure of the new system is also thoroughly planned
- what data and files will be used
- what methods of checking will be used - validation
- a comprehensive test plan is also designed at this stage
- test data is also devised at the design stage
Implementation
- new and specialised programs are written at this stage
- all plans generated in the design section are implemented and
created as part of the new IT system
Testing
- test data from the design section is used to thoroughly test the
new system
- results of testing are first estimated before the test
- then the test is performed
- the actual result is compared to the predicted result
= a decision is made on whether or not the system
needs modification or correction
- tests are repeated until the entire system functions
correctly
Evaluation
- the system is reviewed to check on how successful the system
design team have been
- users of the new system can be asked for their opinions
- the system can be reviewed in relation to difficulties
encountered and errors that occurred
User Guide
- documentation is prepared and created to help the users of the
system do four main things:-
- install the program (if necessary)
- use the program and run it efficiently
- troubleshoot problems that may arise if something is not
done correctly
- modify the system and update it (in certain systems)
Training and Support
- this can be in either or both of 2 forms:
- telephone support
- on-site support
- this may also be referred to as the warranty or on-site warranty
Maintenance
- this gives the user of the new system a chance to request that
the system be modified or altered slightly
= usually to make a certain operation faster or more
efficient
- this can be in either or both of two forms:
- corrective maintenance = errors are removed
- perfective maintenance = the system is made perfect
= very efficient and fast
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Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 Time: 12:00 AM
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