Ch. 4
Designing and Developing Decision Support Systems

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.