Work Related Project Analysis Paper
Work-Related Project Analysis, Part I
BSA 376
June 16, 2014
Michele Busby
Work-Related Project Analysis, Part I
A work-related project analysis is an investigation to help an organization to make better choices when considering a new system. A project analysis will identify issues or complaints made by the organization in an effort to better the system. An assessment of the issues and alternative methods will be explored which will include and benefits and any risks of the alternative methods. All benefits and any risks must be explored in order for the client and the developer to make a choice of methods for improvement. Project analysis is an important tool for making the proper decisions for any organization. One organization that …show more content…
is seeking the benefits of a new system through a work-related project analysis is The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service.
The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service is a company currently offering delivery services to health care organizations that do not have a pharmacy within the organization.
In addition to health care organizations, The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service is a providers of delivery services to nursing homes, hospitals, and in-patient residential rehabilitation facilities. All of the medical facilities using the pharmaceutical company are able to place telephone orders and have those orders delivered promptly. The company was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975 and the business has been very successful and an expansion is needed to keep up with the growing demand of pharmaceutical deliveries. Currently the company is using a computer based system with order entry, Excel spreadsheets, Access database, and a billing and inventory management in an effort to have everything accurate and organized. About 10 years ago the profits of the company started to decline because of new laws regarding reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare, managed health organizations, and other large health care insurance companies. Another major factor to the declining profits is because of national retail pharmacies and inefficient procedures. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service needs a complete overhaul of their system and will need to analyze the situation by first gathering information which will in turn find ways to save money while improving their delivery service (Satzinger, Jackson, …show more content…
& Burd, n.d.)
Information Gathering There are several methods an organization can use to perform an analysis. Once such method is information gathering, which is crucial for any organization who may need a change. Gathering the wrong information will waste time and money implementing a new system that is not useful to the staff. The pharmacy delivery company will need to know that the correct billing and coding functions are used properly to ensure the delivery company is compensated with the maximum benefits. Interviews are a common tools used to gather information because it is beneficial to the analysis to have the information directly from the end user of the new system. The interviews should be conducted with proper planning and have a focus of every specialty area. Open-ended questions in the interview process are the best method because they force the participants to give more information which will give the analyst a complete picture of what is needed to create a system that is beneficial and cost-effective to the organization. Questionnaires are another method used without the face-to-face encounter which can make participants a little nervous. The questionnaire method is usually used in larger organizations when numerous participants need to be interviewed. However, a disadvantage to questionnaires is participants may just want to complete the form in a hurry and not give proper answers. Prototyping may be one of the most important types of gathering information. This method is based on all the information gathered and then a system is created that has preliminary vision which is shown to the client who can add or delete requirements. If the client needs to add or delete any applications the system can be changed and shown to the client again. This process can continue until the system meets the business needs of the organization. Use cases are stories that describe how the system currently works and “…describe how the solution works from a user perspective” (Mochal, 2008). This type of method gives the analyst a better understanding of how the new system should work. Direct observations are very useful when end users cannot explain in detail what tasks he or she does during their daily routines. Analysts will sometimes take a hands on approach to better understand the requirements of a system. Brainstorming is yet another helpful tool used when the organization does not know what areas of the system need improvement. The end users of the current system team with the project manager and think of creative solutions to current problems. After creative solutions are collected management can make a decision about the best possible solutions to the issues. Based on the decisions made by management the project manager can start creating a proposal. After management accepts the proposal it is time to start designing the new system.
Design Methods
Designing a new system for an organization takes time, patience, and a complete understanding of the mission and vision goals of the organization. The goal of the Reliable Pharmaceutical Service Company is to connect client nursing homes directly with a new prescription and billing system (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). At this point the project manager will explore all options before the start of the design. A design method most often used by project managers is the building of a user interface prototype. A prototype will enable the end user a chance to visualize the product while discussing the goals of the new system (JavaWorld, 1998). The new system will need to be sustainable throughout the years, be user-friendly, and cost effective.
Analyze and Evaluation The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service used information gathering as a tool to start saving money by implementing a new system. The delivery company gathered information about how many current employees they have on staff and how many they will need in the future with the upcoming expansion. Currently the delivery service employs 6 licensed pharmacists, 20 pharmacist’s assistants, 10 clerical office staff, 12 delivery people, and 15 other employees that work in other areas of the service (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). It is crucial for the service to hire a team of information systems specialists. This team of specialists will need a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and an understanding of the needs of the delivery service (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014). Analysts need to be dependable and know how to solve problems when something goes wrong and needs to be fixed in a timely manner so the service does not lose money. Web-based information systems and wireless technology are a key component to any organization. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service uses the web to gather information about customers, demographics, other businesses, and laws regarding technology systems and health care. Wireless technology will enable to the service to have multiple computers connected without unsightly and excessive wiring. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service will save money by using wireless technology. The approach considered for this project is the waterfall approach in the System Development Life Cycle. The waterfall approach has a predictive beginning and end with each phase completed before the project can move on to the next phase. The project can be thrown off if each phase is not completed or skip over. If one phase is not completed entirely the next phase will be hard to start which will cause problems for the project (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). The gathering of information is extremely important to ensure that each phase is clear and concise to each person working on the project. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service Company employed many information gathering techniques to ensure a successful implementation of a new system.
The service did extensive research about clients and potential clients to analyze their needs. After analyzing and evaluating the project was successful because management is satisfied with the new system which meets all the requirements and was within the budget. Work-related project analysis is an investigation to help organizations make better choices about computer systems. The case study of Reliable Pharmaceutical Service is a delivery company who is looking to reduce costs while still providing a great customer experience. The service company analyzed the current situation by gathering information about clients. The project of implementing a new system was successful with satisfied management and a completed that met all the requirements and was within
budget.
References
JavaWorld. (1998) Introduction to "Design Techniques". A look at the role of design in the context of the overall software development process. Retrieved from: http://www.javaworld.com/article/2076601/core-java/introduction-to--design-techniques-.html
Mochal, T. (2008). 10 Techniques for Gathering Requirements. Retrieved from: http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/home/dl_10_techniques_requirements.pdf
Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., Burd, S. D. (n.d.). Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing
World (5th ed.). Cengage Learning. Retrieved from University of Phoenix eBook Collection
Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2014). Computer Systems Analysts. Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm
BSA 376
June 16, 2014
Michele Busby
Work-Related Project Analysis, Part I
A work-related project analysis is an investigation to help an organization to make better choices when considering a new system. A project analysis will identify issues or complaints made by the organization in an effort to better the system. An assessment of the issues and alternative methods will be explored which will include and benefits and any risks of the alternative methods. All benefits and any risks must be explored in order for the client and the developer to make a choice of methods for improvement. Project analysis is an important tool for making the proper decisions for any organization. One organization that …show more content…
is seeking the benefits of a new system through a work-related project analysis is The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service.
The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service is a company currently offering delivery services to health care organizations that do not have a pharmacy within the organization.
In addition to health care organizations, The Reliable Pharmaceuticals Service is a providers of delivery services to nursing homes, hospitals, and in-patient residential rehabilitation facilities. All of the medical facilities using the pharmaceutical company are able to place telephone orders and have those orders delivered promptly. The company was started in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975 and the business has been very successful and an expansion is needed to keep up with the growing demand of pharmaceutical deliveries. Currently the company is using a computer based system with order entry, Excel spreadsheets, Access database, and a billing and inventory management in an effort to have everything accurate and organized. About 10 years ago the profits of the company started to decline because of new laws regarding reimbursements from Medicaid and Medicare, managed health organizations, and other large health care insurance companies. Another major factor to the declining profits is because of national retail pharmacies and inefficient procedures. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service needs a complete overhaul of their system and will need to analyze the situation by first gathering information which will in turn find ways to save money while improving their delivery service (Satzinger, Jackson, …show more content…
& Burd, n.d.)
Information Gathering There are several methods an organization can use to perform an analysis. Once such method is information gathering, which is crucial for any organization who may need a change. Gathering the wrong information will waste time and money implementing a new system that is not useful to the staff. The pharmacy delivery company will need to know that the correct billing and coding functions are used properly to ensure the delivery company is compensated with the maximum benefits. Interviews are a common tools used to gather information because it is beneficial to the analysis to have the information directly from the end user of the new system. The interviews should be conducted with proper planning and have a focus of every specialty area. Open-ended questions in the interview process are the best method because they force the participants to give more information which will give the analyst a complete picture of what is needed to create a system that is beneficial and cost-effective to the organization. Questionnaires are another method used without the face-to-face encounter which can make participants a little nervous. The questionnaire method is usually used in larger organizations when numerous participants need to be interviewed. However, a disadvantage to questionnaires is participants may just want to complete the form in a hurry and not give proper answers. Prototyping may be one of the most important types of gathering information. This method is based on all the information gathered and then a system is created that has preliminary vision which is shown to the client who can add or delete requirements. If the client needs to add or delete any applications the system can be changed and shown to the client again. This process can continue until the system meets the business needs of the organization. Use cases are stories that describe how the system currently works and “…describe how the solution works from a user perspective” (Mochal, 2008). This type of method gives the analyst a better understanding of how the new system should work. Direct observations are very useful when end users cannot explain in detail what tasks he or she does during their daily routines. Analysts will sometimes take a hands on approach to better understand the requirements of a system. Brainstorming is yet another helpful tool used when the organization does not know what areas of the system need improvement. The end users of the current system team with the project manager and think of creative solutions to current problems. After creative solutions are collected management can make a decision about the best possible solutions to the issues. Based on the decisions made by management the project manager can start creating a proposal. After management accepts the proposal it is time to start designing the new system.
Design Methods
Designing a new system for an organization takes time, patience, and a complete understanding of the mission and vision goals of the organization. The goal of the Reliable Pharmaceutical Service Company is to connect client nursing homes directly with a new prescription and billing system (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). At this point the project manager will explore all options before the start of the design. A design method most often used by project managers is the building of a user interface prototype. A prototype will enable the end user a chance to visualize the product while discussing the goals of the new system (JavaWorld, 1998). The new system will need to be sustainable throughout the years, be user-friendly, and cost effective.
Analyze and Evaluation The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service used information gathering as a tool to start saving money by implementing a new system. The delivery company gathered information about how many current employees they have on staff and how many they will need in the future with the upcoming expansion. Currently the delivery service employs 6 licensed pharmacists, 20 pharmacist’s assistants, 10 clerical office staff, 12 delivery people, and 15 other employees that work in other areas of the service (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). It is crucial for the service to hire a team of information systems specialists. This team of specialists will need a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and an understanding of the needs of the delivery service (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014). Analysts need to be dependable and know how to solve problems when something goes wrong and needs to be fixed in a timely manner so the service does not lose money. Web-based information systems and wireless technology are a key component to any organization. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service uses the web to gather information about customers, demographics, other businesses, and laws regarding technology systems and health care. Wireless technology will enable to the service to have multiple computers connected without unsightly and excessive wiring. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service will save money by using wireless technology. The approach considered for this project is the waterfall approach in the System Development Life Cycle. The waterfall approach has a predictive beginning and end with each phase completed before the project can move on to the next phase. The project can be thrown off if each phase is not completed or skip over. If one phase is not completed entirely the next phase will be hard to start which will cause problems for the project (Satzinger, Jackson, & Burd, n.d.). The gathering of information is extremely important to ensure that each phase is clear and concise to each person working on the project. The Reliable Pharmaceutical Service Company employed many information gathering techniques to ensure a successful implementation of a new system.
The service did extensive research about clients and potential clients to analyze their needs. After analyzing and evaluating the project was successful because management is satisfied with the new system which meets all the requirements and was within the budget. Work-related project analysis is an investigation to help organizations make better choices about computer systems. The case study of Reliable Pharmaceutical Service is a delivery company who is looking to reduce costs while still providing a great customer experience. The service company analyzed the current situation by gathering information about clients. The project of implementing a new system was successful with satisfied management and a completed that met all the requirements and was within
budget.
References
JavaWorld. (1998) Introduction to "Design Techniques". A look at the role of design in the context of the overall software development process. Retrieved from: http://www.javaworld.com/article/2076601/core-java/introduction-to--design-techniques-.html
Mochal, T. (2008). 10 Techniques for Gathering Requirements. Retrieved from: http://b2b.cbsimg.net/downloads/home/dl_10_techniques_requirements.pdf
Satzinger, J. W., Jackson, R. B., Burd, S. D. (n.d.). Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing
World (5th ed.). Cengage Learning. Retrieved from University of Phoenix eBook Collection
Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2014). Computer Systems Analysts. Retrieved from: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm