A study of the perception of staff cooperation in the definition of computer system projects
Deborah Veazey Landowski, Taher A. Razik · 1990
The study proposes a model for the development of systems analysts. This model could be utilized to introduce numerous productivity tools which are used in computer project definition. Development of the model was based on extensive review of computer systems design and development, general systems theory, and organizations as systems in the literature, and an analysis of a survey of individuals involved in this definition and design phase of computer system development within a large data processing department. It was the premise of this study that those individuals who do not use structured approaches, do not always define business objectives and the related system objectives. The lack of this initial definition of objectives can lead to the downfall of a well intentioned project. The survey focused on the collection of data on the frequency of use of productivity tools, how the respondents felt about their ability to use those tools, and how effective they felt the training was, if they had received any training, on the aforementioned tools. It was concluded that those who used a structured approach to systems analysis were more likely to define business and system objectives. It was further evident that those who used the structured productivity tools specified business and system objectives more times than those who did not use these productivity tools. The proposed training model is based on the review of the literature which pointed out the need for better communication between the user and the analyst, both written and spoken, and on the analysis of the data collected which demonstrated the need for more effective training. The results of the study suggest the need for further research in the area of computer system project definition, including the expansion of the sample group across numerous corporations.