Discussion:
Post-Implementation Evaluations can prove to be quite an effective tool, in determining if the deployed system fulfills the needs (requirements) that were anticipated by the user community.
In addition, the evaluation verifies whether (or not) the system produces the anticipated benefits. Using the requirements that were established, the evaluation includes feedback in the following areas:
1. Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the IS output
2. User satisfaction
3. System reliability and maintainability
4. Adequacy of system controls and security measures
5. Hardware efficiency and platform performance
6. Performance of the IT team (analysis, engineering, programmers, etc.)
7. Completeness and quality of documentation
8. Quality and effectiveness of training
9. Accuracy of cost-benefit estimates
10. Accuracy of development and implementation schedules
Your Assignment (as a response to this topic): Select three (3) of the evaluation areas listed, and, in your own words, explain why this information would serve as important feedback to the systems analyst, as well as the project manager and his or her support staff. Be concise in your response; give examples, and cite your resources.
Please provide short responses for the following discussion responses:
Response 1:
System Analyst does analyze feedback and consider feedback and makes changes according to the feedback received.
Feedback from users demonstrates user satisfaction, provides knowledge about system reliability and maintainability. It helps with collecting data for better understanding of hardware efficiency and platform performance. It also provides knowledge of the project to the project manager and to the support stuff. It helps with improving management or whatever operations.
E.g. if in a collected feedback a complaint about a lack of documentation occurs frequently - then we explicitly receive a motivation for improvement of documentation for a system or a project.
Every listed area is important and feedback related to the listed areas is important and provides a whole system depicted it in more details which results in better understanding of the system and its peculiarities, specificities. And that results in better chances to improve, maintain, analyze, enhance and optimize the system successfully.
Response 2:
User Satisfaction: User satisfaction surveys are an important tool to improving a system based on users feedback. Both the system analyst and project manager can use these surveys to develop enhancements to make the system more effective or to correct bugs that users detect during their normal operations.
System Reliability and Maintainability: System reliability and maintainability are important considerations for an organization as they plan out the future of IS. If a system costs to much to maintain or it is constantly down due to issues, the organization might determine its time to pull the plug and move onto something more efficient. A system analyst would use this information to help make the CIO and CFO make informed decisions regarding the removal of potential systems.
Adequacy of System Controls and Security Measures: Getting feedback on the state of system controls and security measures is important to ensure the protection of sensitive company or customer information. The system analyst and project manager could use this information to create hot fixes to the system to beef up security or use the information to conduct penetration tested to see where the weaknesses lay.Discussion:
Learning Activity #1
One of the final actions a CO must do before making an award is determine that a contractor is responsible as defined by the FAR. What are some of the things the CO should look for in a contractor to make that determination?
Response 1:
Contracting Officer's (CO) make award determinations as outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation. One of the final actions before making an award decision is to conclude that a contractor is responsible. There are seven very specific qualities that a contractor exhibits, or possesses, that allow them to meet the threshold to be determined responsible by the CO. They are outlined in FAR part 9.104-1, and listed below:
1. Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract, or the ability to obtain them
2. Be able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and governmental business commitments
3. Have a satisfactory performance record
4. Have a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics
5. Have the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them.
6. Have the necessary production, construction, and technical equipment and facilities, or the ability to obtain them.
7. Be otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations (Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR], Part 9.104-1).
While all of the qualities outlined in FAR part 9.104-1 are uniquely important, I found that they can be generalized into a few main ideas; resources, demonstrated ability, and legality. I see bullets one and six as a resources concern, while bullets two, three, four, and five can be grouped as demonstrated ability.
Doing so leaves only bullet seven to cover legal concerns, although bullet four could go hear as well. But generally speaking, a CO must determine that a contractor has sufficient resources, demonstrated ability, and no legal restrictions to be deemed responsible.
Response 2:
According to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Contractors must have many responsibilities they must meet to win a contract. Some of these responsibilities include: Having adequate financial resources to perform the contract; Have a satisfactory performance record; Have a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics and;
Have the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills, or the ability to obtain them (2017). This is a selection of the criteria that a contractor must meet. You can tell by reading through the list that not just any contract can win a contract, you must meet some specific requirements.
Federal Acquisition Regulation, 48 C.F.R. § 9.104-1 (2017).