Page 32 - Information Management 3rd Edition

Information Management
vision of how a business should operate. It also requires discipline, knowledge and excellent communication skills.
Once the need for an information system has been identified, the planning and development thereof will follow. The planning phase provides the framework within which the information system will be implemented. Once the decision is taken to implement a new system, the process of developing it will begin. There are many different ideas and methods that can be followed to implement a new system. For the purpose of this chapter, we will use the following steps to develop an information system: analysis, feasibility study, design, test, implementation, documentation, and evaluation:
Step 1: Analysis
Pre-pub
The beginning is always an important step − it is like a foundation on which the
rest will be built. An investigation is needed to determine whether there is, in
fact, a need for an information system. A committee consisting of system analysts,
some users, as well as the manager leading the initiative, could be used to perform
a preliminary investigation. Information should be obtained from managers and
present users of the system by interviewing and observing them. Existing manuals,
where available, should also be studied. A written report about the information
gathered is given to top management. The committee needs to look at the entire business and how the information is managed at the present time and how the present system (if there is one) is working. In order to get the entire picture, the committee will have to look at many different issues. These issues include the following:
• other resources that will be needed, copy
• the objectives of the system,
• the technology that is available or needed,
• all the costs involved,
• the knowledge, skills and capabilities of the users of the system,
• the need of management and
• other/external systems that will be linked to this system.
Step 2: Feasibility study
The feasibility study is done by looking at the general requirements of the proposed system to determine whether or not it will be possible to develop the system at an affordable cost. This study should include technical (hardware, software and telecommunications), economical (the return on investment) and operational issues (it should fit into the culture of the business). Decision-makers need to investigate and research the proposed system and decide whether to proceed or not. Once management accepts that the system will be feasible, a project team is established that will develop the system until it is ready for delivery. Such a team usually includes the following people: system analysts, programmers and representatives from the departments that will form part of the system.
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