IT 460 Week 4 Assignment

Feasibility and the Business Process 

Unit outcomes practiced in this assignment:

·         Identify basics of the Object-Oriented Approach.

·         Generate an informational and persuasive presentation for the client.

·         Define operational, technical, economic, and schedule feasibility.

·         Understand the role of the systems review committee. 

Course outcome practiced in this assignment:

·         IT460-3: Develop logical models for a proposed system.

Purpose

As a Systems Analyst, you will find that clients do not always understand the necessity of a proposed system project, may need clarification about certain project parameters, or simply want you to demonstrate that you are indeed worthy of leading the project. In this assignment, you are focusing on the multi-faceted concept of feasibility as well as asking questions of the stakeholders so you can begin gathering requirements.

This assignment will also be a good practice in persuasion. It is to be prepared as a PowerPoint presentation, and includes the need for APA citation/referencing. Assistance for citation/referencing is available in the Writing Center.

Assignment Instructions and Requirements

Scenario: Back in Unit 2, you worked for a client named Fair Bud Flowers, and you wrote a business case explaining the need for a real database, network connections, and updated operating systems. The original scenario is shared again here for your convenience: 

Fair Bud Flowers is a local company with only two small stores. Each store works inventory, sales, and costs on its own. They have no internet connection but each store has two computers with Windows 7 and Microsoft Office. Sales receipts are hand-written on old-fashioned paper forms with carbon copy, and the data is entered later into an Excel file on one of the computers in each store every night. At the end of every night, the Excel file is copied onto a flash drive and transferred to the second store computer as backup. Of course, this also presents a security risk. They need a real database, updated operating systems, and interconnectivity between computers in each store and between the stores.

This week, you have finally heard back from them, and they are interested in your proposal! However, they are still questioning the feasibility of the project; they would also like to see proof that you have the expertise to gather requirements. 

The business owner has created a systems committee comprised of the owner, an outside consultant, and the employee who has worked in the shops the longest. You are to meet with them to "tie up some loose ends" and get final approval to move ahead with the project. 

Keep in mind that most of the committee members are not particularly technically-minded; avoid highly technical jargon and be direct with all statements and questions.

 Research 

You will need at least one appropriately academic source that explains various facets of project feasibility. You are encouraged to search the library for suitable materials. 

Documentation 

Prepare a PowerPoint with the following requirements. 

Slide 1

·         Cover slide

·         A descriptive project title (not "Unit 4 Assignment"), your name, and the date

·         You may include an image on this slide, but it is not required

Slide 2

·         Project overview

·         Write in your own words, minimum length 20 words

Slide 3

·         Operational Feasibility

·         Include a brief definition in your own words, but with your source cited (with in-text APA citation).

·         Also include at least two factors that prove the project is operationally feasible.

Slide 4

·         Economic Feasibility

·         Include a brief definition in your own words, but with your source cited (with in-text APA citation).

·         Also include at least two factors that prove the project is economically feasible.

Slide 5

·         Gathering Requirements: Database

·         Write at least four questions in your quest to gather ideas for organizing data into a database.

Slide 6

·         Gathering Requirements: Security

·         Write at least two questions in your quest to gather ideas for ensuring data security.

Slide 7

·         DFD diagramming statement

·         Explain to the client how DFD diagrams (which will be created in Unit 5) will help them understand the system's underlying processes.

Slide 8

·         Project Benefits

·         Write a statement of both the tangible and intangible benefits of the project.

Slide 9

·         References

·         Provide full entries in APA style 

Additional parameters: 

·         It is permissible to have more than one source.

·         Do not quote from sources; all of the presentation must be in your own words.

·         Design:

·         Use a design theme.

·         Images are only allowed on the cover slide.

·         Ensure good readability (consider color, text size, etc.)

·         Include a title on all content slides. It is permissible to simply use the first bulleted item explained above as titles for your slides.

·         Do not use animation or transitions.

·         Do not include content in the notes area.

·         Do not have more than 9 slides. 

Review all instructions above and the rubric below before submitting to the assignment dropbox. 

Directions for Submitting Your Assignment 

·         Name your PowerPoint^® presentation with the following convention: IT460-Unit4-LastName-FirstName (using your own name).

·         Make sure you read all instructions carefully and review the rubric before submitting to the Dropbox for Unit 4.