PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS

 REASONS FOR SYSTEMS REQUEST

Improve Service Systems requests often are aimed at improving service to customers or users within the company so that users can, in turn, provide valuable services to increase customer satisfaction. 

Better Performance 

The current system might not meet performance requirements or be unable to support company growth. Performance limitation also results when a system that was designed for a specific hardware configuration becomes obsolete when new hardware is introduced. 

More Information 

The system might produce information that is insufficient, incomplete, or unable to support the company’s changing information needs. In the face of intense competition and rapid product development cycles, managers need best possible information to make major decisions on planning, designing, and marketing new products and services. 

Stronger controls 

A system must have effective controls to ensure that data is accurate and secure. Weak controls can allow data entry errors or unauthorized access. Controls must be effective without being excessive. 

Reduce Cost 

The current system is too expensive to operate or maintain as a result of technical problems, design weaknesses, or the changing demands of the business. Cost analysis might show that a new system would be more cost effective and provide better support for long term objectives. 

FACTOR EFFECTING SYSTEM PROJECT

INTERNAL FACTORS

User Request  

As users rely more heavily on information systems to perform their jobs, they are more likely to request even more IT services and support.

Top Management Directives 

Directives from top managers are prime source of major systems projects. Those directives often result from strategic business decisions that require new IT systems, more information for decision makings, or better support for mission critical information systems. 

Existing Systems 

Errors or problems in existing systems can trigger requests for system projects. System errors must be corrected, but analysts often spend too much time reacting to day-to-day problems without looking at underlying causes. This approach can turn an information system into a patchwork of corrections and changes that cannot support the company’s overall business needs. 

Information Technology Department 

Many system project requests come from the IT department. IT staff members often make recommendations based on their knowledge of business operations and technology trends.

EXTERNAL FACTORS

Economy  

Economic activity has a powerful influence on corporate information management. In a period of economic expansion, companies need to be ready with scalable systems that can handle additional volume and growth. 

Government  

Federal, state and local government regulations affect the design of corporate information systems e.g. income tax reporting requirements must be designed into a payroll package. 

Software and Hardware Vendors 

As new versions of software or new hardware models appear, companies make decisions that affect existing systems and trigger systems requests. 

Competitors 

Competition drives many information systems decisions e.g. if one cellular telephone provider offers a new type of digital service, other companies must match the plan in order to stay competitive. 

Customer  

Customer service is vitally important, and information systems that interact with customers receive top priority in most companies. 

Suppliers 

With the growth of EDI, relationships with suppliers are critically important e.g. an automobile company might require that suppliers code their parts in a certain manner to match the auto company’s inventory control system. EDI also enables just-in-time (JIT) inventory systems, which rely on computer-to-computer data exchange to minimize unnecessary inventory.

SYSTEMS REQUEST FORM

EVALUATING SYSTEMS REQUEST