Please follow all the instructions, and dont copy and paste from somewhere else. I would like to have the original work.
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
Before you begin this assignment, be sure you have read the Case Study and all assignments for this
class, especially Stage 4: Final System Report.
Purpose of this Assignment
This assignment gives you the opportunity to use industry-standard methodologies for analyzing a
business situation, initiating a project, and determining various aspects of feasibility of an IT project.
This assignment specifically addresses the following course outcomes to enable you to:
•
•
plan, build, and maintain systems that meet organizational strategic goals by demonstrating the
use of enterprise architecture and applying enterprise governance principles and practices
effectively communicate with stakeholders to determine, manage, and document business
requirements throughout the SDLC
Assignment
The results of your systems analysis and design work in this class will be documented in a Final System
Report. The purpose of the Report is to inform management of your system proposal and gain approval
to proceed with the project. The Report will be developed and submitted in stages, which will be
compiled at the end of class into the Final System Report. Review the outline of the Final System Report
in the Stage 4 Assignment description. Note that it contains the analysis of the problem(s) and
requirements, and proposes what kind of a system solution is needed. It does not propose a specific
solution, but it does recommend why and how the organization should acquire the solution.
The first step in the analysis process is to create a Preliminary Investigation Report (PIR). The PIR
documents the system planning phase of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). During the
planning phase, the opportunities presented or problem(s) to be solved with an information technology
system are identified, investigation into the current situation occurs, and various feasibility aspects of
implementing a system are analyzed. This results in a recommendation for further action with estimated
costs and schedule, and a list of benefits. Once it is completed and approved, the PIR becomes the
major source document for use to begin the systems analysis phase.
To start, read the case study carefully. The case study tells you that the executives at Precision
Electronics Parts, Inc., have identified a need to replace the current customer billing and payment system
and re-engineer the associated processes. As you review the case study, list the most important relevant
business problems and identify the information presented that you will need to complete the sections of
the Preliminary Investigation Report shown below. All of the information you need to complete the
projects in this class is not provided in the case study. In the discussion area of the classroom, there is a
discussion titled “Case Study Interview Questions” where you can pose questions about the case study,
as if you were interviewing the people in the case study organization. Any information that you need that
is not included in the case study should be asked about in this discussion. Responses from the faculty
member on behalf of the case study organization will be available for everyone in the class.
Using the case study and the outline and resources listed below, develop your Preliminary Investigation
Report. Approximate lengths for each section are provided as a guideline; be sure to provide all
pertinent information. References in brackets are to the two e-textbooks (by authors Jawahar and
Conger) used in this class and the page on which the explanatory information begins.
I.
Introduction (1 paragraph)
a. Brief statement of the problem or system
b. Name of person or group who initiated the investigation
c. Name of person or group who performed the investigation
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
1
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Problem to be solved – The basis of the system request, including an explanation of major
problems or opportunities (1 paragraph)
Findings
a. Scope of proposed system (1 paragraph describing the system boundaries – what is
included, perhaps where it stops)
b. Constraints (1 paragraph, including a short list of constraints) [Jawahar, p. 61]
c. Fact Finding – significant findings and conclusions (1 paragraph with more than one
finding and conclusion to be drawn; source is the case study and responses to questions
posed in the Case Study Interview Questions discussion)
d. Current Costs – cost of current system (1 short paragraph; source is the case study and
responses to questions posed in the Case Study Interview Questions discussion)
Feasibility Analysis: This is not a complete Feasibility Report; instead it is a discussion of
whether and how the proposed systems is technically, financially and organizationally
feasible. Describe what aspects of the organization in the case study and the proposed
system make it technically, financially and organizationally feasible. [Jawahar, p. 65]
a. Technical Feasibility (1 paragraph)
b. Financial Feasibility (1 paragraph)
c. Organizational/Behavioral Feasibility (1 paragraph)
Recommendation for further action
a. An estimate of how long it would take to implement the system and have it available for
use, and a rough cost estimate for the entire project (short paragraph with estimated
time and cost)
b. Expected benefits – tangible (with estimated quantification) and intangible benefits
(introductory paragraph and list of tangible (quantified) and intangible benefits) [Conger,
p. 148]
Submitting Your Assignment
Submit your document via your Assignment Folder as Microsoft Word document, or a document that can
be ready using MS Word, with your last name included in the filename.
Use the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have covered all aspects of the assignment.
GRADING RUBRIC:
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
2
Criteria
Introduction
Description of
Problem
Findings
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
< 60%
Far Above
Standards
Above Standards
Meets Standards
Below Standards
Well Below
Standards
9-10 Points
8 Points
7 Points
6 Points
0-5 Points
The introduction
includes the
statement of the
problem, who
initiated and who
conducted the
investigation, and is
clear, logical,
derived from the
Case Study, and
demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
The introduction
includes the
statement of the
problem, who
initiated and who
conducted the
investigation, and is
clear, logical,
derived from the
Case Study, and
demonstrates a
clear understanding
of the course
concepts.
8 Points
The introduction
includes the
statement of the
problem, who
initiated and who
conducted the
investigation; is
adequate, and is
derived from the
Case Study.
The background
for the business
case is not clear,
logical and/or
derived from the
Case Study. It
may not include
the statement of
the problem, who
initiated and who
conducted the
investigation.
Introduction is
not included,
or
demonstrates
little effort.
7 Points
6 Points
0-5 Points
The basis of the
system request,
including an
explanation of
major problems or
opportunities is
provided, and is
clear, specific, and
logical, appropriate
to the Case Study
and demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
18-20 Points
The basis of the
system request,
including an
explanation of
major problems or
opportunities is
provided, and is
clear, specific, and
logical, appropriate
to the Case Study
and demonstrates
effective writing.
The basis of the
system request,
including an
explanation of
major problems or
opportunities is
provided, and is
adequate and
appropriate to the
Case Study.
The basis of the
system request
is unclear, too
general, and/or
not appropriate
to the Case
Study. It may not
provide an
explanation of
major problems
or opportunities.
Description of
Problem is not
submitted, or
demonstrates
little effort.
16-17 Points
14-15 Points
12-13 Points
0-11 Points
Findings include
scope, constraints,
fact finding results
and conclusions,
and current system
costs, and is clear,
specific, and
logical, appropriate
to the Case Study
and demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
Findings include
scope, constraints,
fact finding results
and conclusions,
and current system
costs, and is clear,
specific, and
logical, appropriate
to the Case Study
and demonstrates
effective writing.
Findings include
scope, constraints,
fact finding results
and conclusions,
and current
system costs, and
is adequate and
appropriate to the
Case Study.
Findings may not
include scope,
constraints, fact
finding results
and conclusions,
and current
system costs.
Findings are
not provided,
or
demonstrates
little effort.
9-10 Points
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
Possible
Points
10
10
3
20
Feasibility
Analysis
Recommendation
Format
27-30 Points
24-26 Points
21-23 Points
18-20 Points
0-17 Points
Feasibility Analysis
correctly and
convincingly
explains the
technical, economic
and organizational/
behavioral
feasibility of the
proposed system.
Demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
18-20 Points
Feasibility Analysis
correctly explains
the technical,
economic and
organizational/
behavioral
feasibility of the
proposed system.
Is appropriate to
the case study and
demonstrates
effective writing.
16-17 Points
Feasibility Analysis
explains the
technical,
economic and
organizational/
behavioral
feasibility of the
proposed system.
Is appropriate to
the case study.
Feasibility
Analysis may not
explain the
technical,
economic and
organizational/
behavioral
feasibility of the
proposed system.
Feasibility
Analysis is not
included, or
demonstrates
little effort.
14-15 Points
12-13 Points
0-11 Points
Recommendation is
clear, convincing,
and includes
estimated time and
cost, and tangible
and intangible
benefits.
Demonstrates a
sophisticated level
of writing.
9-10 Points
Recommendation is
clear, and includes
estimated time and
cost, and tangible
and intangible
benefits. Is
appropriate to the
case study and
demonstrates
effective writing.
8 Points
Recommendation
includes estimated
time and cost, and
tangible and
intangible
benefits. Is
appropriate to the
case study.
Recommendation
may not include
estimated time
and cost, and/or
tangible and
intangible
benefits.
Recommendation is not
included or
demonstrates
little effort.
7 Points
6 Points
0-5 Points
Submission reflects
effective
organization and
sophisticated
writing; follows
instructions
provided; uses
correct structure,
grammar, and
spelling; presented
in a professional
format; any
references used are
appropriately
incorporated and
cited using APA
style.
Submission reflects
effective
organization and
clear writing;
follows instructions
provided; uses
correct structure,
grammar, and
spelling; presented
in a professional
format; any
references used are
appropriately
incorporated and
cited using APA
style.
Submission is
adequate, is
somewhat
organized, follows
instructions
provided; contains
minimal grammar
and/or spelling
errors; and follows
APA style for any
references and
citations.
Submission is not
well organized,
and/or does not
follow
instructions
provided; and/or
contains
grammar and/or
spelling errors;
and/or does not
follow APA style
for any
references and
citations. May
demonstrate
inadequate level
of writing.
Document is
extremely
poorly written
and does not
convey the
information.
20
10
TOTAL
Points
Possible
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
30
100
4
Stage 1: Preliminary Investigation Report
5