Evaluation
The sixth stage of the classical six stage
systems analysis model.
tr.v. e·val·u·at·ed,
e·val·u·at·ing, e·val·u·ates
- To
ascertain or fix the value or worth of.
- To
examine and judge carefully; appraise. See Synonyms at estimate.
- Mathematics.
To calculate the numerical value of; express numerically.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=EVALUATION
Having created and implemented
the new system this stage, (often paradoxically called the
last and first stage), of the systems life cycle is entered.
The purpose of this stage is to
evaluate that which has been implemented. This
is an observational study of the success of the implementation and the success
of the system at meeting the need. As
the picture of this success (or lack of it) emerges it will soon be clear
whether the perceived or actual needs of the user were being addressed and just
how well the early stages were handled.
Often this stage is the
springboard for further implementation of system improvements.
If this was just one branch of a larger organisation then the result of
the evaluation report could result in the engagement of said systems analysts in
the building of a country wide system.
Evaluation can last for a number
of years and in many senses never truly ends.
Eventually external or internal pressures will require upgrades and
improvements at the very least. It
is then that the evaluation reports of the system become one of most important
documents in assessing the shortcomings of the old system and the necessitation
of improvements.
Questions to be asked of the
system are:
- How well does it meet the original system
specifications?
- How well do users relate to the system?
- Is the system demonstrably secure?
- Do the users enter the data in the correct manor and
if not how does the system cope?
- How could the system be improved to increase worker
and system efficiency?
- Can the system be improved to increase customer satisfaction?
Techniques that can be used
to gather this information are:
- Questionnaires – these are limited in use and
should be target only to those who use the system OR those who commissioned
it. In each case the
information required will be different.
- Faults Log – An invaluable aid to fault finding
and tracking
- Systems observations
- Support workers and help desk logs
- Systems auto-logs – reports generated by the
system and stored therein to assist with faultfinding.
Classical Model of Systems analysis. AKA the System Life Cycle
- Project Selection
- Feasibility Study
- Definition
- Design
- implementation
- Evaluation