A LEVEL COMPUTING
SLC
Theory
2. Feasibility Study - alternative solutions
The system analyst will consider all of the answers from the feasibility study and come up with a number of alternative solutions to present to management.
It is then the management's job to consider going ahead with the new project.
Some possible solutions that might be suggested to management could be:
a) Company does not change anything
Benefit |
No disruption to the business. |
Cost |
No cost. |
Performance |
No change, system remains outdated. Process becomes increasingly less efficient. |
b) Company makes alterations to half the system
Benefit |
Best parts of the system are retained whilst the least efficient aspects are redesigned to enhance performance. |
Cost |
Moderate, training moderate. |
Performance |
Performance improvement estimate: 30% |
c) Complete overhaul
Benefit |
Reduces company cost base (more profitable). |
Cost |
High, given that new equipment / software will be required. Training for staff needed. |
Performance |
estimated 70% improvement over the old system. |
As you can see, deciding on the best alternative is often not simple - management have to take many factors into account. There are often complicated relationships between cost, performance and benefit.
So at this point of the system life cycle, you know what the problem is and you are considering options.
The various options are usually presented to management at this stage and it is up to them to make a decision as to how much investment they wish to put into the project.
If the decision is made that it is worth developing a new system, the SLC will progress onto the next stage, Investigation and Analysis. If management decide to stick with the current system, the SLC will stop here.
Challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
Click on this link: Feasibility planning
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