Systems Approach to Problem Solving Define the Problem

Systems Approach to Problem Solving • • • Define the Problem Develop Alternative Solutions Select the Solution Design the Solution Implement the Solution Evaluate the Solution

Type of Feasibility • • • Economic feasibility Technical feasibility Operational feasibility Organizational feasibility* Legal feasibility Schedule feasibiltiy

Systems Lifecycle Model (Waterfall Model) Project definition Systems study Design Programming Installation Postimplementation

Plus/Minus of Lifecycle Systems • Good for projects which are – well defined – highly structured – need rigorous analysis and tight controls • Overall lifecycle model is – expensive – time-consuming – inflexible

Prototyping Project Definition Identify Requirements Develop Prototype Use Prototype Accepted Prototype Evaluate Performance Improvement Needed

Plus/Minus of Prototyping • Good for projects where – user requirements are uncertain – design solutions are uncertain – end-user interface is critical – size is smaller • Problems are – final prototype may not be well designed – user may want prototype immediately

Build versus Buy • Design phase may conclude that a better solution is to buy an application software package and adapt it to the organization needs. • Buy doesn’t require expensive in house development efforts • Buy may not fit unique needs of organization

End-User Development • Allow end user to access/develop information systems • A good match for distributed, end-user computing • Fourth generation tools allowing end-users to be more successful

Plus/Minus End-User Development • Plus – improved requirements determination – increased user involvement – reduced application backlog • Minus – end-user not performing core job – uncertain quality – poor integration – loss of management control over data

Outsourcing Going to the Cloud • Contract IS work to external vendor. • Not the same as buying a package. – Build = write custom payroll package – Buy = buy prewritten payroll package – Outsource = contract with Pay. Check Corp. to do your payroll

Plus/Minus of Outsourcing • Plus – allow organization to make up for lack of IS expertise or capacity – vendor economies of scale may make it the more cost effective alternative • Minus – lose control of organization’s information – keep organization from developing infrastructure