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.