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ChaPter 3 • ProjeCt management 55

Existing System
Task Proposed System
Compare performance of
distribution warehouses
Compare performance of
by running the summary distribution warehouses
program. on the Web-based
Method dashboard.
Computer programs are
run when needed; processing Updates occur immediately;
processing is done online.
is done from the workstation.
Personnel
Distribution manager
When and how Distribution manager
Daily:
Daily:
Enter shipments on Excel
Enter shipments on the
spreadsheet; verify accuracy
Web-based system using
of spreadsheet manually; and
drop-down boxes. Data are
then write files to backup
media. automatically backed up
Monthly: to remote location.
Monthly:
Run program that
summarizes daily records Compare warehouses online
and prints report; get using the performance
dashboard; print only if
report and make evaluations.
needed.
Human time
Daily: 20 minutes
requirements
Monthly: 30 minutes Daily: 10 minutes
Computer time Monthly: 10 minutes
Daily: 20 minutes
requirements
Monthly: 30 minutes Daily: 10 minutes
Monthly: 10 minutes
Figure 3.4
Comparisons of workloads between existing and proposed systems.

Figure 3.4 is a comparison of the times required by existing and proposed information sys-
tems that are supposed to handle a given workload. Notice that the company is currently using
a legacy computer system to prepare a summary of shipments to its distribution warehouses,
and a Web-based dashboard is being suggested. The workload comparison looks at when and
how each process is done, how much human time is required, and how much computer time is
needed. Notice that the newly proposed system should reduce the required human and computer
time significantly.

Ascertaining Hardware and Software Needs

Assessing technical feasibility includes evaluating the ability of computer hardware and soft-
ware to handle workloads adequately. Figure 3.5 shows the steps a systems analyst takes in
ascertaining hardware and software needs. First, all current computer hardware the organization
owns must be inventoried to discover what is on hand and what is usable.
A systems analyst needs to work with users to determine what hardware will be needed.
Hardware determinations can be made only in conjunction with determining human information
requirements. Knowledge of the organizational structure and how users interact with technolo-
gies in an organizational setting can also be helpful in hardware decisions. Only when systems
analysts, users, and management have a good grasp of what kinds of tasks must be accomplished
can hardware options be considered.