Structured Analysis Tools

Structured analysis includes different tools like DFD (data flow diagram), ERD (entity relationship diagram), data dictionary, structured English, decision table, and decision tree.

Feasibility Study

Feasibility is the measure of how beneficial or practical the development of information system will be to an organization. Feasibility study is the process by which feasibility is measured. Feasibility analysis is appropriate to the systems analysis phase.

Four Tests for Feasibility

During systems analysis phase, the system analyst identifies different alternate solutions and analyzes those solutions for feasibility. To analyze different alternative solutions, most analysts use four categories of feasibility tests: operational feasibility, technical feasibility, schedule feasibility, and economic feasibility.

Operational Feasibility:
It is a measure of how well the solution will work in an organization. It is also a measure of how people feel about the system/project. So, this feasibility is people oriented. Operational feasibility addresses two major issues:
a. Is the problem worth solving, or will the solution to the problem work?
b. How do end users and management feel about the problem (solution)?
When determining operational feasibility, usability analysis is often performed with a working prototype of the proposed system. Usability analysis is a test of system’s user interfaces and is measured in how easy they are to learn and to use and how they support the desired productivity levels of the users. Usability is measured in terms of ease of learning, ease of use, and satisfaction.

Technical Feasibility:
It is a measure of practicality of a specific technical solution and availability of technical resources and expertise. Technical feasibility is computer oriented. This feasibility addresses three major issues:
a. Is the proposed technology or solution practical?
b. Do we currently possess the necessary technology?
c. Do we possess the necessary technical expertise, and is the schedule reasonable?

Schedule Feasibility:
It is a measure of how reasonable the project timetable is. Schedule feasibility is the determination of whether the time allocated for a project seems accurate. Projects are initiated with specific deadlines. It is necessary to determine whether the deadlines are mandatory or desirable. If the deadlines are desirable rather than mandatory; the analyst can propose alternative schedules.

Economic Feasibility:
It is the measure of the cost-effectiveness of a project or solution. This feasibility deals with costs and benefits of the information system. The bottom-line in many projects is economic feasibility. During the early phases of the project, economic feasibility analysis amounts to little more than judging whether the possible benefits of solving the problem are worthwhile. However, as soon as specific requirements and alternative solutions have been identified, the analyst can determine the costs and benefits of each alternative.

Some other feasibility tests are also possible. These are legal and contractual feasibility and political feasibility. Legal and contractual feasibility is the process of assessing potential legal and contractual ramifications due to the construction of a system. Political feasibility is the process of evaluating how key stakeholders within the organization view the proposed system.