43194352-Feasibility-study.ppt
- 1. Network Design and Implementation: Steps 1. Feasibility study 2. Network Project Plan 3. Description of the Current Network 4. New Network Requirements 5. Identifying Geographic Scope 6. Circuit Requirement Calculations 7. Network Security and Control Requirements 8. Network Configurations 9. Network Cost Calculations 10. Implementation
- 2. 1. Feasibility Study The purpose of a feasibility study is to determine the possibility of improving the current network or developing a new network. The primary purpose of the feasibility study is to identify the problem which could be solved or an opportunity which could be ceased by the network development project (clearly, in writing). The feasibility study can be based on a needs assessment in the organization competition a business opportunity inter-organizational relationships globalization etc.
- 3. 1. Feasibility Study continued... The result of the phase is a Feasibility Study Report: the problem or the opportunity described objectives for the potential network development project (major, intermediate, wishes) potential solutions (one is never enough) technical, operational, and economic feasibility of potential solutions recommendation The Feasibility Study usually results in a decision start the network development project extend the feasibility study (clarifications, new alternative solutions, change of scope) postpone the project reject.
- 4. Some Examples of Objectives for NW dev. implementing an electronic commerce business idea (e.g., electronic payment services for small businesses using EDI, the WWW and the Internet) competitive advantage improving quality of service faster delivery of information/digital products implementing virtual teams need to improve communications channels need to bust organizational boundaries need to reengineer improving the corporate infrastructure cost containment
- 5. 2. Network Project Plan The purpose of the Network Project Plan is to describe project phases produce project resource plans (people, hours, equipment, funding etc.) describe the project organization produce timetables determine checkpoints define deliverables evaluation criteria for the network development project The result of the Network Project Plan phase is a detailed report which describes the concrete steps, timetables, resources and funding requirements for reaching the objectives defined in the feasibility study.
- 6. 3. Description of the Current Network The purpose of the Description of the Current Network is to gain complete understanding of the current situation in order to design the network. This translates into: 1. describing the current network applications and their data transmission needs nodes and their operating systems networks (network types, operating systems, devices and circuits) descriptions are presented in the organizational context (geographical locations, organizational units, ranks and numbers of users, informal organizations) 2. describing the information needs for the new network (see 1.)
- 7. 3. Description of the Current Network continued... Techniques include interviews researching the applications and networks estimating and sampling for volumes, timings and patterns comparing the current network and existing alternatives. The result of the phase is a Current Network Description. It includes organization charts geographical network configurations summaries of interviews summaries of comparisons data flow diagrams
- 8. 4. New Network Requirements The purpose of New Network Requirements phase is to produce a list of requirements for the new network. Requirements are derived from the objectives (see Feasibility Study) and refined by the results obtained in previous phases. Requirements are influenced by the the organization’s long and short term plans (strategic plans, IT strategic plans, plans of refocusing the business changes in products or services, organizational change, growth, downsizing, acquisitions, mergers, spin offs etc.) The result of the Network Requirement Phase is a detailed list of business requirements translated into technical requirements (e.g., circuit capacities, processing times, reliability, security, speed requirements). Requirements can be mandatory, desirable or wished.
- 9. 5. Identify Geographic Scope The purpose of Identifying Geographic Scope is to produce an accurate, detailed geographic map of the new network. The scope of the network can be: international country city or state local facility Start with the highest level Draw connections (lines, concentrator sites, multipoint locations) for international, country, city or state use maps for local facilities use blue prints of the building The result of the phase is detailed maps and drawings of the
- 10. 6. Circuit Requirement Calculations The purpose of Circuit Requirement Calculations is to produce a detailed estimate of the transmission capacity required. Circuit Requirement Calculations include total characters transmitted per day (and/or hour) on each circuit (average or peak circuit traffic) message volumes (current and estimated) (accuracy often not major concern) response time criteria and evaluations The result of the phase is traffic analysis reports. Circuit requirements are added to the maps drawn in the previous phase (5. Identify Geographic Scope).
- 11. 7. Network Security and Control Requirements The purpose of Network Security and Control Requirements phase is to include all security and control mechanisms into the new network plans. Security and control requirements are derived from the organization’s security policies. The result of the Network Security and Control phase is a detailed document of the security and control requirements concerning the new network. This document refers to the geographic maps and blue prints.
- 12. 8. Network Configurations The purpose of Network Configurations phase is to configure the circuits, hardware, and software between the computers in the network. The steps (iterative): evaluating software (may limit hardware and network protocol choices) evaluating hardware designing the type and placement of network circuits choosing network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, SNA) considerations: internetworking, expansion, inter- organizational needs (don’t forget diagnostics and maintenance tools) use models and simulations where needed. The result of Network Configurations phase is several
- 13. 9. Network Costs The purpose of the Network Cost phase is to produce cost/benefit analysis for the alternative configurations. Sources of costs: circuit costs internetworking device costs (repeaters, bridges, gateways etc.) other hardware costs (servers, cards, memory, printers, desktop computers etc.) software costs (network operating system application software, middleware, protocol conversion software, etc.) network management costs (special hardware, software, and training needed to develop a network management system) personnel costs (network administrator, consultants, technicians etc.)
- 14. 9. Network Costs continued... Types of costs: initial versus recurring costs direct versus indirect costs the problem of identifying intangible benefits The result of the Network Cost phase is a Request for Proposal (RFP). RFP is a detailed requirements document for vendors. Its list of contents includes: Organizational background information Network Requirements Service Requirements Description of the Bidding Process Information Required from Vendor
- 15. 10. Implementation Implementation phase includes “making it work” and evaluating the new network against the evaluation criteria. Strategies: a pilot project chronological cutover phased implementation direct cutover (not recommended) Follow-ups for several months. The result of this phase is the new network in production
- 16. A feasibility study is usually conducted for a single application or small group of related applications. The level of detail included in a feasibility study sits between that of an information systems plan and the more detailed requirements specifications. If an information systems plan exists, a feasibility study should refine and build on the core work products developed during the planning project. If a significant amount of time has elapsed since the information systems plan was developed, care should be taken to include any significant business changes that may have occurred.
- 17. FS1 Define Project Scope FS2 Activity Analysis FS3 Needs Analysis FS4 Conceptual Modelling FS5 Use Case Modelling FS6 Identify Non-Functional Requirements FS7 Identify Options FS8 Select Option The feasibility study generates a number of options for acquiring a new application. These options are evaluated for technical and financial feasibility FS9 Plan Acquisition Strategy FS10 Develop Business Case a Business Case for the proposed acquisition is developed.
- 18. THE FEASIBILITY STUDY Is it possible?, is it practicable?, can it be done? Not only economic feasibility, but also technical feasibility, schedule feasibility, operational feasibility. Economic feasibility - are the benefits greater than the costs? (see CBA) Technical feasibility - do we ‘have the technology’?; if not, can we get it ? Schedule feasibility - will the system be ready on time? Operational feasibility - do we have the resources to build the system?, will the system be acceptable?, will people use it?
- 19. FEASIBILITY ISSUES We cannot properly answer many of these questions at this stage. For example, data on actual costs and benefits is not available, we don’t know what resources will be at our disposal. The feasibility study is an educated guess. Often a ‘rough and ready’ approach’ Some elements of feasibility will be more important than others and some may directly conflict. Sometimes ‘external considerations’ are more important than the narrow feasibility issues discussed here.
- 20. OTHER QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY What are the requirements of the users? What data is needed? Where does it originate? How much data is needed? What are the main functions and characteristics of the proposed system? What are the design alternatives? ( e.g. simple v sophisticated, manual v computer) What are the development alternatives? ( which methodology?, do we need prototyping or pilot studies?) Is all of this consistent with the business and IT strategy?
- 21. THE FEASIBILITY REPORT The feasibility study will normally be carried out by analysts or consultants who interview potential users and review documentation. The feasibility report should include a description of functional requirements and possible alternative solutions. It should cover the four aspects of economic, technical, schedule and operational feasibility together with recommendations on the best way to proceed.