V: Selecting the Solution

Appendix E: Sample Measurement Systems

The two approaches included in this appendix are provided simply as examples of measurement methods that have been used successfully in systems projects. Neither may be appropriate for your systems project.

Model Used by Sinclair Community College*

Phase I - Application Requirements - Total of 65%:

Financial Management - 60% = (.65x.60) 39% of Phase I
General Ledger20%
Purchasing/Receiving15%
Accounts Payable15%
Budgeting15%
Decision Support15%
Central Stores2%
Bookstore3%
Fixed Assets5%

Human Resources/Payroll - 60% = (.65x.40) 26% of Phase I
Human Resources45%
Payroll45%
General Requirements4%
Training2%
Documentation2%
Support2%

Phase I - Technical Requirements - Total of 35%:

Hardware - 25% = to (.35x.25) 8.75% of Phase I
Support 200 users25%
Adequate Perfomance25%
Printing10%
Backup Services10%
UPS/Line Conditioning10%
Upgrades5%
Academic Computing5%
General Requirements4%
Training2%
Documentation2%
Support2%

System Security10%
Software - 75% = to (.35x.75) 26.25% of Phase I
Database Management30%
Query Report Writer10%
Development Tools20%
Development Language15%
Connectivity5%
General Requirements4%
Training2%
Documentation2%
Support2%

Phase II - Evaluation

Implementation

Costs

    Application Software

    Hardware

    Systems Software

    Other Costs

      Custom software
      Partnership costs
      Special or tmporary staffing
      Conversion programming
      Keying or other support
      Training and documentation
      Hardware or software maintenance for two systems suring conversion
      Changes to infrastructure (cabling etc.)
      Project contingency

An Alternative Model for Defining Measures

Vendor Firm Analysis
(worth 10 percent of total evaluation)
    4% References (telephone questionnaire)
    2% Client base
    2% Firm's financial stability (both current and five-year trend)
    1% Experience
    1% Employee profile

Applications Software Technical Analysis
(worth 30 percent of total evaluation)

    5% Application of software standards
    4% Database standards
    4% Documentation
    4% Security and access control
    4% Training
    3% Compatibility and general technologies
    3% Continuing support
    3% Installation services

Applications Software Functional Analysis
(worth 60% of total evaluation)

Financial Management Systems

    19% General ledger
    9% Accounts payable
    9% Accounts receivable
    9% Available funds
    9% Budgets
    9% Grants and contracts accounting/sponsored program tracking
    9% Loan administration
    9% Property control
    9% Purchasing
    9% Student accounts
Human Resources
    50% Payroll
    50% Personnel

Endnotes:

*The original of this model included modules for the Student Information System and the Alumni/Development System.
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** The implementation plan includes overall evaluation of training, implementation, documentation, and support in addition to individual evaluations of the implementation plan provided by specific application and technical groups.
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