Evaluating the feasibility of the Information system under consideration is critical. It is usually done during the analysis phase of the SDLC.
A Feasibility study is a thorough analysis of the technical, operational, economic, schedule and legal issues related to the proposed Information system. Possible risks and failures can be addressed and planned for pro-actively with the help of a feasibility study.
A technical feasibility study is usually the first to be undertaken. The input of stakeholders (customers, technology/ engineering subject matter experts, users and the analysts at a minimum) based on their familiarity with the application is the number one consideration here. Issues such as whether the company has sufficient expertise in the technology to be used and whether to build or buy the technologies are addressed during this study.
Operational feasibility is about acceptance of the system by both internal and external customers if built. Stakeholder analysis is the way to go to conduct this study. This is usually undertaken as a final step in the feasibility study. Understanding organizational politics, championing the cause of the system, overcoming obstacles are all part of this study.
Cost and benefit analysis, return on investment comprise the economic feasibility area.
Determining how long it will take to build the system, what resources will be required and training users and developers to meet the needs of the system comprise the schedule feasibility at a minimum.
Legal, ethical and social issues get quite tricky when dealing with global distributed systems or even systems operating in different states.
Probing into the areas described in the paragraphs above can help determine whether to GO or not with the system under consideration. Any systems analysis and design course material provides information in this area.
