Discussion 1-1
Response 1-1
Summer
The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), as described by Kavanagh, is a formal process in which systems are implemented. This goes from the stages of planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015). What makes this cycle so great is its versatility to adjust to may business and can adjust to the number of phases that an organization sees fit. For each phase, the business can choose how long they spend in each and has the control/ability to decide to when to move to other phases. In addition, the advantages of this model is that prior phases can be revisited especially if there are details or opportunities that were missed. As shown in figure 4.1, the typical model has five phases. These consist of:
Planning: this includes both long-term and short-term strategic planning. It’s about HR planning what technological necessities need to be done to ensure the success of the strategies that are set in place (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015).
Analysis: This is where a business defines what their current capabilities are, what needs to be changed, and what requirements are needed for the HRIS. Being that this can be the most cumbersome phase, it’s important to understand what the current process is, what needs to be changed justifiably, developing the requirements for the change, and prioritizing those needs (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015).
Design: This is where the details of the specifications are laid out. In addition, the final vendor evaluation and selection are performed. This is also where organizational preferences are laid out to best suit there needs (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015).
Implementation: This is where the HRIS is built, tested, and ready for rollout. That is, the old system is no longer used while the new system is implemented. There are typically two approaches which include, to have a test piolet group or to have a progression of implementations featured and to have more and more functionality presented (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015).
Maintenance: this is where the evaluation happens. The importance is to gage the success of the HRIS and to evaluate any potential changes that need to be done. This also includes the users feedback of the new system. It’s four main purposes include: corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventative maintenance (Michael J. Kavanagh, 2015).
References
Michael J. Kavanagh, M. T. (2015). Human resource Infromation System. Sage Publications Inc. .
Response 1-2
Tonya
Define the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Our reading defines Systems Development Life Cycle as “a formal, multistage process through which information systems are implemented” (Kavanagh, Thite & Johnson, 2015, 4.1). The five phases are: planning, analysis, design, implementation and maintenance. The planning phase involves identifying and deciding what system (s) is needed. With the analysis phase “an organization’s current capabilities are documented, new needs are identified, and the scope of an HRIS is determined” (Kavanagh, Thite & Johnson, 2015, 4.1). In the design phase all the details and specifications are presented. “Using the results of the needs analysis, the current human resources processes may be changed and updated to reflect current organizational needs and potentially industry best practices” (Kavanagh, Thite & Johnson, 2015, 4.1). For the implementation phase, “the HRIS is built, tested, and readied for actual rollout, or the “go live” stage—the point in the SDLC at which the old system is turned off and the new system is put into operation” (Kavanagh, Thite & Johnson, 2015, 4.1). The maintenance phase is an observation to see if the system is being used for it purpose and to provide any upgrades or modifications as necessary to meet the needs of the user.
The model depicts as downward flowchart indicating that each step is followed by another, however the dash lines indicate that at any point any step can be revisited to address any issues that arise.
Advantages of the Systems Development Life Cycle
“it allows the organization to focus on a limited set of issues” (Kavanagh, Thite & Johnson, 2015, 4.1).
The SDLC is transparent to analyze each step making for a better transition.
If something goes wrong, the team can go back a step.
Reference
Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2015). Basics, applications, and future directions (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Response 1-3
Brittany
Define the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). In at least 200 words, describe how the model presented in Figure 4.1 (From chapter 4) works and its advantages.
System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is a formal, multistage process through which information systems are implemented (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). Specific phases include planning, analysis, design, implementation, and maintenance.
In the text, figure 4.1 shows a typical system development Life Cycle design that has multiple advantages (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). According to the text, it first allows the organization to focus on a limited set of issues. Next, it contains many activities within one phase which allows organizations to make “go and no go” decisions at the end of each phase (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). The text also states, at any time the project is seen as not meeting objectives it can be terminated with the work to date providing a baseline if the conditions merit moving forward (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015).
To me this shows how complex the SDLC really is. The information system can be so meticulous that these stages are needed in order to break down the process. I like how it allows you to get to a certain point but stop to be able to make changes or go back if needed. It is also very important to be able to test each section as you go.
Reference:
Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2015). Human resource information systems: Basics, applications, and future directions (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Student response
. I personally feel that the analysis stage is the most important this the SDLC process. This is where everything needed comes to light, and if something is missed, the entire process can fail. Which process do you think is the most important? I also see you talked about the waterfall model of the SDLC here in your post. Why do you think the waterfall is a good representation of this system?
Discussion 2
Response 2-1
Karla
When implementing physical design into a company, a company has several options. The business can build the software which can be costly but very effective because it can be tailored one hundred percent to the company’s needs and wants, short and long-term goals. “Finally, internally building the software can also provide increase flexibility and creative solutions for the issues within the HR business processes” (Kavanagh, M.J., Thite, M., & Johnson R.D., 2015, Chapter 5.1, Para. 31). If the company decides to buy software products from vendors, the software will only help the business seventy percent which means the company will have several choices to make from that point. These types of software can range from a couple of thousand dollars to millions of dollars, depending on what the business needs and how big the business is. The plus side of commercial off the shelf software’s is that they have been tested before to work for a business, whereas if a business is making their own software, they must test it out themselves. The bad side of choosing commercial off the self-software is that the company must reconsider their options since they aren’t completely tailored to help a business 100 percent, which means the company can either work along with the vendor to help customize the software to the business needs or wants, or the business changes or tries to adapt their needs or wants to fit into the software. “The risk of adapting your business processes to the software is that the business processes supported by the software may be incompatible with the way your organization operates, which can result in increased costs or reduced competitive advantage. In addition, when an organization implements a vendor’s upgrade in the future, it will likely be necessary to redo whatever customization was done during the initial implementation” (Kavanagh, M.J., Thite, M., & Johnson R.D., 2015, Chapter 5.1, Para. 33). If a business decides to reach the vendor for personal customization of a software, this will help the business and help vendors sell their products as well. This forms an alliance program, which helps both parties, the vendors and the business needing the software. Evaluating what the business wants should be done prior to selecting what choices the business will make for the best possible outcome of the business. “The decision regarding which approach to choose is based on a series of factors, including the nature of the business process; the size, technical skills, and project management skills of the software staff, and the development time frame” (Kavanagh, M.J., Thite, M., & Johnson R.D., 2015, Chapter 5.1, Para. 35).
References
Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2015). Human resource information systems: Basics, applications, and future directions (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Response 2-2
Brittany
When evaluating vendor offerings, in at 200 words, describe the keys factors that will help your firm determine the best software product to acquire.
In order to start the vendor selection process the company first needs to submit a RFP (Request for Proposal). According to the text, a RFP is a document that solicits proposals and bids for proposed work from potential consultants or vendors (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). It defines the organization’s goals and requirements for the new information system. It provides the details that define hardware, software, and services requirements (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). This request allows the HR staff to work closely with internal IT department and external vendors to ensure that the business process requirements and all technical requirements are presented to the vendor (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015). When developing the RFP organizations should keep several things in mind; focus on the business, be specific, and keep it simple. You don’t want to include too many details for the vendors to review because you don’t want the vendor to think they cannot fulfill those needs (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015).
Once the requests are sent, the vendors then evaluate them to determine if they have a product that would fit the company’s need. Several things and accesses software options should then be considered based on certain criteria: functionality, IT Architecture and IT Integration, price, vendor longevity and viability (Kavanagh, Thite, & Johnson, 2015).
Reference:
Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2015). Human resource information systems: Basics, applications, and future directions (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Response 2-3
Q
When evaluating vendor offerings, describe the key factors that will help your firm determine the best software product to acquire.
There are many key factors to consider finding the best software. Key areas to evaluate to select the best software are functionality, price, longevity, and integration. (Kavanagh, Thite, Johnson 2015) The planning phase in the system development life cycle includes defining what the problem is which is a necessary process to identify what is the best software product to correct it. There are many elements that are critical in making the right decision. Evaluating the current processes and systems and figuring out where the gap is critical. A complete detailed review of current workflow will help uncover the needs the new software will fulfill helping to narrow down the right tools and the questions that need to be answered by the vendor and the process.
Another important deciding factor is the vendor. A vendor that understands the companies needs can tailor their plan to show how their product will best fit as well the support plan they will provide in the integration, implementation, and maintenance. ( Kavanagh Thite, Johnson 2015). As we learned in the SDLC the product must adapt with the company and a good vendor will have a plan to show how the product will grow and adjust as the business needs.
With in the planning stage it is important to list out all the questions that will need to be answered to identify the right product from the right vendor. Although businesses learn from each other it is important to identify the right fit and not assume that because one company saw success with a product that it will be able to yield the same results for another.
Reference
Kavanagh, M. J., Thite, M., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2015). Basics, applications, and future directions (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Cost is absolutely a big factor in the selecting a vendor, especially when dealing with small businesses. I think this is a reason why the Square has been such a hit with small businesses. They are able to accept all cards, keep track of product costs, product sales, and many other things within the system for a small percentage of each sale. Keeping up with all of that information saves a lot of time, and they don’t have to develop a system for their business. What is your opinion on the Square?