Project definition is the first of the six formal stages of a Systems Development Life Cycle:

                        Stage 1:                          End Product
 
                        Project Definiton                     Project Proposal Report
 

At the Project Definition stage an organisation will evaluate the problems they  have and decide if these problems can be rectified by implementing a new information system or if a solution may be found by making alterations to their existing system.  The following questions may be asked:

 
 
A feasibility study will be carried out to evaluate the pros and cons of launching a new information system.  The feasibility study will investigate three main areas: Technical, Economic and Operational:
 
 

• Technical Feasibility - can the new system be implemented using the existing hardware and resources
• Economic Feasibility - cost/benefit analysis - will the benefits of the new system justify the cost of  implementation
• Operational Feasibility - this is to decide if the new system will be suitable within the existing framework of the organisation

If the development of a new information system is to be a success it is important to remember that many people
within the organisation will have an interest in the development process.  Systems often fail because of poor
management e.g. systems are not delivered on time or to budget.  The end result of this first stage is a
Project Proposal Report.
 
 

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