MCA, 2015

System Analysis and Design

DOS in CS

PART-3
Determination Of Feasibilty Study:
The following information should be available after organizing and summarizing the
data.

Interview and correspondence records.

Updated system documentation
Flowcharts
Familiarity with names, positions and personalities of user personal
Specification of the good and bad features of the current system
Understanding of how well actual problems facing the system are in line with the
problems stated in the user request form.

The outcome of the initial investigation is to determine whether an alternative system is

possible. A summarized report is given to the principal user, for review. The final
decision is the end users response to a project directive. If it is approved then, it
becomes an authorized document.
Sometimes, organizations have a computer user committee as final approval authority
for the project undertaken. A signature on the directive by the end user + its acceptance
by the MIS department = formal agreement to proceed with design and implementation
of the candidate system.

System performance Definition

This involved three steps:
1. Statement of Constraints
This limits the solution of the problem. Some constraints are identified during the initial
investigation and are discussed with the user. The general constraints, in relation with
the safe deposit billing example is,

The presidents view: a low priority.

The senior vice president: worried about transfer of employees from safe deposit
department to other department.
The accounting department: keeps pushing the idea of installing a computerbased general ledger application.
The management: limited knowledge of computers.
The communitys recent success in controlling burglaries: adverse impact on the
demand for the safe deposit box rentals.
The online system must interface with the existing checking/savings application to
allow for the automatic payment of box rentals.
The proposed design must be compatible with the banks computer system.

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System Analysis and Design

DOS in CS

2. Identification of specific system objectives

After listing out the constraints, the analyst should identify the systems specific
performance objectives. The objectives are derived from the objectives specified in the
project directive at the end of the initial investigation. State the systems benefit and
then translate them into measurable objectives.
The following can be anticipated as the benefits for the example, safe deposit billing
system,

Improved collection schedule

Cost reduction
Physical space reduction
Improved customer service.

The above benefits is analyzed and translated into measurable objective.

Billing 30 days in advance of the renewal data and notice is sent within two weeks.
Reduction in the payroll of employees.
One of 4 desks is replaced by microcomputer; remaining is removed, allowing an
extra cubicle for customer use.
Reduction in the waiting time of entry from 3 minutes to 30 seconds as the
information is online.

3. Description of outputs
This step describes the outputs required by the user. At this point, an actual sketch of
the format and contents of the reports, specification of the media used their frequency
and size and the number of copies required. Specifying exactly what the output would
look like leads to an estimate of the requirement that form the basis for the file design.

Feasibility Study
Many studies are delusining for both users and analysts. First, the study assumes that
when the feaisilibilty document is prepared, the analysist is in a position to evaluate
solutions. Second, most studies tend to overlook the confusion inherent in system
development. The feasibility study should be able to answer three key questions:
1. Is there a new and better way to do the job that will benefit the user?
2. What are the costs and savings of the alterative(s)?
3. What is recommended?
More projects fail because of inflated expectations than for any other reason.

Feasibility Considerations
There are three considerations: Economic, Technical and Behavioral.
Economic Feasibility: it is the most frequently used method for evaluating the
effectiveness of a candidate system. This is most commonly known as the cost/benefit
analysis. The procedure is to determine the benefits and savings that are expected from
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System Analysis and Design

DOS in CS

a candidate system and compare them with costs. If benefits outweigh cost then the
decision is made to design and implement the system. Otherwise, further justification
should be given.
Technical Feasibility: this deals with existing computer system and to what extent it
can support the proposed (new) addition. It also involves financial consideration to
accommodate technical enhancements. If the budget is a serious constraint, then the
project is judged not feasible.
Behavioral Feasibility: people are resistant to change and computers have been known
to facilitate change. An estimation of the strongness in the reaction of the user staff
should be made. Computer installation has something to do with turnover, transfers and
changes in the employees job status. Therefore, it is understandable that the
introduction of the candidate system requires special effort to educate, sell and train the
staff.

Feasibility Report
The feasibility report is directed to management. It evaluates the impact of the proposed
changes on the area in question. It is a formal document for management use, brief
enough and sufficiently nontechnical to understandable, yet detailed enough to provide
the basis for system design.
There is no standard format. Usually analysts decide on a format that suits the
particular user and system. The report basically contains the following sections:

Cover letter: formally presents the report and indicates the general findings and
recommendations to be considered.
Table of contents: specifies the location of various parts of the report. Management
can quickly refer to the sections that concern them
Overview: narrative explanation of the purpose and scope of the project, the
reason for undertaking the feasibility study and the departments involved or
affected by the candidate system. This may also include the names of the persons
who conducted the study, when it began and other information that explains the
circumstances surrounding the study.
Detailed findings: this outlines the methods used in the present system. The
systems effectiveness and efficiency as well as operating costs are emphasized.
This also provides a description of the objectives and general procedures of the
candidate system.
Economic justification: details point-by-point cost comparisons and preliminary
cost estimates for the development and operation of the candidate system.
Recommendations and conclusions: suggestions to manage the most beneficial
and cost-effective system.
Appendixes: this contains all memos and data compiled during the investigation.
They are placed at the end of the report for reference.

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