ITEE ITEE-1 | Page 108

3-2 System planning 3-2-1 Computerization planning Review the overall development schedule set forth in the computerization plan. Review of development structure Review the structure in place for system development. Risk analysis Analyze the possible risks pertaining to system development. 1 Scope of computerization When introducing computerization, it is necessary to review the scope to determine how much of the operations to include in the system. If the scope is too small, it may be ineffective. If it is too large, it may be unmanageable. Reference Cost effectiveness Reviewing whether the system to be developed is cost effective is very important as it can result in the success or failure of the business strategy. When introducing a system, it is necessary to determine the costs related to development and operation, and review whether the benefits will exceed the costs and whether an effect corresponding to the costs can be achieved. If there is no prospect for achieving the desired effect, then computerization itself needs to be reconsidered. Computerization requires regular evaluations that look into how much efficiency can be achieved, and how much profits will increase in order to determine whether the desired level of cost effectiveness has been achieved. System strategy Review of schedule Reference Chapter 3 “Computerization planning” is the act of developing and planning an information system designed to streamline operations by putting together a computerization initiative and a basic policy for computerization based on the business or enterprise strategy. A “computerization initiative” is an introductory step which involves analyzing operations prior to defining the system requirements to produce the big picture for computerization that will serve as the basic requirements for the system, the scope, the schedule, the budget, etc. Development related to computerization is carried out in accordance with the company’s system strategy and business model. If the computerization initiative is flawed, operations may become more complicated than before or produce unexpected results. The “basic policy for computerization” is the basic development policy set forth when computerizing operations. Computerization is implemented based on elements of the basic policy such as the purpose of development and the issues to be addressed. The computerization plan is put together in the final stage of laying out the system. During the planning stage for computerization, it is necessary to put together a solid computerization plan based on the big picture that includes the schedule, structure, scope of operations, and cost effectiveness. The procedure for planning computerization is summarized below. Review of schedule The overall development schedule set forth in the computerization plan is reviewed. First, an overall development schedule that seeks full computerization by the time the system becomes necessary is planned. It is based on the business strategy and takes into account factors such as order of construction, transition from current operations, and education and training. If too much priority is placed on meeting deadlines and the system development period is cut short, the quality of the system may suffer. Management must make a decision whether to give priority to finishing the system by the time it becomes necessary, or making sure the system is fully developed even if it results in a delay. 102