The feasibility study in information systems: Analysis of criteria and contents

The feasibility study has been prescribed and described as an important step in information system development. Yet there has been little research on issues pertaining to its contents and criteria. This paper addresses these issues and reports research from a quasi-experimental investigation using actual system development projects. The empirical results show that the two most important factors in a feasibility study are: convincing the users that the system they get will actually meet their functional requirements, and also that the system will work effectively within the organizational environment. A surprising result was the low importance attached by respondents to meeting the needs of the clerical personnel providing inputs to and handling the outputs from the system. Also, economic factors, which have been the focus of attention for many researchers, were ranked in the middle of all factors considered.