- 2069 Bhadra (old course) · 3+3 marks
Feasibility analysis tests
Short answer
Feasibility analysis tests include technical, economic, operational, schedule, legal, and social checks. For example, selecting a library system requires verifying technical compatibility, cost-benefit (payback ~3 years), user acceptance, schedule feasibility, and legal compliance.
Feasibility analysis is termed as an important activity during information system selection. Discuss different 'tests' that has to be taken care of during feasibility analysis. Explain the tests using an example situation of information system selection.
Feasibility analysis checks, before an information system is selected or developed, whether the proposed solution is practical, worthwhile and achievable. It helps management decide whether to go ahead, change or stop.
Feasibility tests
| Test | What it checks |
|---|---|
| Technical | Is the needed technology available, proven and compatible, and does the staff have the skill? |
| Economic (cost-benefit) | Do the benefits exceed the cost? Uses payback period, ROI, NPV. |
| Operational | Will users accept and be able to use it; does it solve the problem; fit with work processes? |
| Schedule (time) | Can it be completed within the time needed? |
| Legal | Compliance with laws, licences, contracts and data privacy. |
| Social/organisational/behavioural | Effect on staff, culture and resistance. |
Example: selecting a library management system for a college
- Technical: the college has a LAN and 10 PCs; the system runs on a standard PC server; the librarian can be trained.
- Economic: software and hardware cost NPR 6 lakh; it saves about NPR 2 lakh per year from less manual work and fewer lost books, so payback is about 3 years.
- Operational: the librarian and students want faster search and issue; the system supports barcodes and Nepali names, so acceptance is expected to be high.
- Schedule: the system must be running before the new academic session in 4 months; vendor can install in 2 months.
- Legal: a valid licence and a vendor support contract are needed; student data must be protected.
Result: feasible, so the package is selected.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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