The document discusses the decision making stage of the system development cycle. Potential solutions are developed based on preliminary investigation data and known constraints. Feasibility studies analyze solutions in terms of economic, technical, schedule, and organizational criteria. Feasibility studies provide recommendations of no change, developing a new system, or exploring other options. If managers decide to proceed, a more detailed analysis is conducted and an analysis report is written.

1. 1.4) Making
Decisions

2. • The next stage in the system
development cycle is making
decisions.
• The data gathered in the preliminary
investigation is used to develop one or
more potential solutions.
• The constraints of the problem are also
factored in when generating solutions.
• A constraint is a factor that limits the
system.

3. • Management is informed of the
advantages and disadvantages of each
proposal and then feasibility studies
are carried out.
[Complete Figure 1.8, p.15]
• A feasibility study is a short report that
analyses potential solutions in terms of
the known constraints.

4. • The recommendations coming out of a
feasibility study are based upon a
number of criteria:
• economic – cost of building and
maintaining
• technical – the IT requirements
• schedule – whether there is
enough time to achieve and
maintain the new system
• organisational – does it fit into the
organisational structure and are
staff skilled enough and/or
supported properly

5. • There are three recommendation
options coming out of a feasibility
study.
• These are:
• no change
• develop a new system
• explore other options
• If manager’s decide to proceed then a
more detailed analysis is required.
• The problems with the current system
are fully investigated and then
organised and analysed.

6. • When this is completed an analysis
report is written.
• It provides more details than the
feasibility study as well as
recommendations for design,
implementation and maintenance.
• It also contains the design
specifications for the next stage.
• They also form the basis for a more
detailed project plan.