System Development Lifecycle Feasibility Phase

Learning Objectives Discuss the process, nature and purpose of a feasibility study.

Identification Feasibility study Information Collection Analysis DesignDevelopment and Testing Implementation Maintenance Obsolescence

Feasibility Phase

A Feasibility Study A report stating whether the solution is feasible (possible and sensible). The organisation may believe that a computerised solution is the best solution. The organisation may believe that a computerised solution is the best solution. Does the systems analyst agree? Does the systems analyst agree?

Feasibility Questions Is the solution technically possible? A car firm has decided to use robots on the production line to assemble car engines to improve quality. A car firm has decided to use robots on the production line to assemble car engines to improve quality. However, it may not possible to manufacture a robot arm of the correct size to fit into the small areas under a car bonnet. However, it may not possible to manufacture a robot arm of the correct size to fit into the small areas under a car bonnet. Is the solution economic to produce? Lets assume robots exist that can be programmed to assemble the engines and the benefits will be worthwhile. Lets assume robots exist that can be programmed to assemble the engines and the benefits will be worthwhile. However, the cost may be so high that it puts the car manufacturer out of business. However, the cost may be so high that it puts the car manufacturer out of business.

Feasibility Questions Is the solution economic to run? Lets assume that there are tremendous benefits in producing a robot production line and the robots are very cheap to buy, Lets assume that there are tremendous benefits in producing a robot production line and the robots are very cheap to buy, However, they may be so slow at assembling the engines that it is cheaper to employ people to do the job. However, they may be so slow at assembling the engines that it is cheaper to employ people to do the job. What is the human cost? If the car plant is the only major employer in the region, and the introduction will put much of the workforce out of work, then the employer may decide that the human cost is too great, certainly the Government would. If the car plant is the only major employer in the region, and the introduction will put much of the workforce out of work, then the employer may decide that the human cost is too great, certainly the Government would.

Feasibility Questions Is the workforce skilled enough? The company will need to employ highly skilled technicians to look after the robots. The company will need to employ highly skilled technicians to look after the robots. However, there may be no workers with the necessary skills. However, there may be no workers with the necessary skills. So current workers will have to learn new skills and will worry that they will not be able to cope with the new system. So current workers will have to learn new skills and will worry that they will not be able to cope with the new system. However, workers will gain better qualifications, more pay, much of the repetitiveness of their job will be taken over by the new system and their job will be safer. However, workers will gain better qualifications, more pay, much of the repetitiveness of their job will be taken over by the new system and their job will be safer. However, they will also become de-skilled as their previous labour skills will be lost. However, they will also become de-skilled as their previous labour skills will be lost. They will also find that the management will find it easier to check up on their work, through the new system. They will also find that the management will find it easier to check up on their work, through the new system. Will the customer notice the difference? Will the introduction of the new systems increase profits?

Plenary What should be considered as part of a feasibility study? Is it technically possible? / Must ensure that the hardware requirements can be met. How much will the solution cost? / Is the solution economic to produce? What extra costs are there above the costs of the original system? Is the solution economic to run? What are the effects going to be on human beings? / Are the changes to the workforce justified? How good is the present workforce with computers? / Is there a skilled workforce available? Will the customers notice? Will it affect the profile of the business? Will the increase in business cover the costs? Will the profits increase? Will the solution create legal problems? Is data covered by data protection legislation?