Book Contents

Ch. 4
Designing and Developing Decision Support Systems

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DSS Feasibility Study Outline

A DSS Feasibility Study examines a proposed project's consequences and impacts. A feasibility study is summarized in a formal report or document. The study addresses issues including the project's benefits, costs, effectiveness, alternatives considered, analysis of alternatives, opinions of potential users, and other factors. This feasibility analysis is a way of exploring the factors and risks affecting the potential for successful development and implementation of a Decision Support System. Large-scale information systems development efforts typically include a feasibility study as a major checkpoint providing critical information about whether it is possible to develop a system, given the project’s goals and constraints. This report should be framed to offer important information about the range of issues likely to affect success and, therefore, that should be considered in decisions about whether and how to move forward with a Decision Support Systems development effort.

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. Key Business Needs

B. Issues

C. Solutions

D. Benefits and Costs

E. Critical Success Factors

F. Project Management

II. INTRODUCTION

A. Background and Definitions

B. Key Questions

1. Site Readiness: To what extent is the company ready for and interested in implementing a new Decision Support System? What needs to change to facilitate successful implementation?

2. Technical Feasibility: Is it possible to develop or adapt software to perform the proposed types of analyses. If so, can the technical solution be implemented efficiently and effectively with present technical resources?

3. Financial Feasibility: What are the projected costs of implementing the DSS, and do potential benefits justify these costs?

C. Feasibility Study Approach

III. BACKGROUND NEEDS AND ASSESSMENT

A. Goals

B. Constraints

C. Related Projects

D. Business Decision Support Needs

E. Decision Support Diagnosis

IV. OBJECTIVES

V. DSS SCOPE AND TARGET USERS

A. Scope and Decision Process Definition

B. Scope Recommendation

C. Scope Issues

VI. ANTICIPATED DSS IMPACTS

VII. PROPOSED SOLUTION

A. System Integration Issues

B. Major Functions Provided

C. Technology Tools/Infrastructure Used

D. New Organizational Structure and Processes

VIII. MAJOR ALTERNATIVES

IX. CONFORMITY WITH CURRENT IS/IT PLAN

X. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

XI. ESTIMATED TIME FRAME AND WORKPLAN

XII. INCREMENTAL COSTS

XIII. BENEFITS

XIV. RISKS AND MITIGATING FACTORS

XV. DRAFT CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

 

 



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