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Riordan Manufacturing Hris Analysis

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Riordan Manufacturing HRIS Analysis
University of Phoenix
BSA/375
July 15, 2010

Riordan Manufacturing HRIS Analysis

The ability to analyze and study the needs of an organization is an essential skill for a systems analyst. A systems analyst uses the concept of analysis and design to maintain and improve their information systems. The main goal of systems analysis and design is to improve organizational systems, typically through applying software that can help employees accomplish key business tasks more easily and efficiently (citation). The first steps that need to be taken in systems improvement are research and analyzing the scope and feasibility of a new project.

Systems Analysis Approach

The information-gathering technique and design method proposed for this project is the Rapid Application Development method, acronym RAD. The RAD methodology is a process in which research of user requirements is compiled before producing any detailed system design documents. Using this approach decreases the time needed to design and implement new systems.

Factors of Successful Analysis

The Rapid Application Development method incorporates using three different approaches of systems analysis. These sub-approaches are Prototyping, Computer-Assisted Software Engineering Tools, and Joint Application Design. By using the three different perspectives, RAD streamlines the entire systems analysis and design process.

Prototyping

Prototyping is the building of a raw and small-scaled working model. This model is an easily modified and extensible representation, simulation or demonstration of a planned software system, likely including its interface and input/output functionality (Maner, 1997). There are two major factors of using prototyping. The first is that Prototyping involves the user during the system design. Second, prototyping captures the requirements in a concrete form, rather than verbal form.

Computer-Assisted Software Engineering Tools

Computer-Assisted Software Engineering Tools, acronym CASE, is software that automates certain parts of the system design process. “CASE tools provide automated methods for designing and documenting traditional structured programming techniques” (LoveToKnow Corp., 2010). Using the CASE approach improves the system design process by providing an engineering type discipline to software development and by managing the construction of high quality systems.

Joint Application Design

The Joint Application Design, acronym JAD, is a structure process that collects information about system requirements from key employees. These key employees normally consist of users, managers, and analysts. These employees are brought together for structured group meeting where system requirements and design details are specified and agreed upon. The benefits of the JAD approach range from improved system quality and productivity to the building stronger partnerships and communication between the end-users and information systems personnel.

Scope and Feasibility

Riordan Manufacturing has released a service request, SR-rm-004, which asks for an analysis of their current Human Resources system. The systems analysis and design proposed will improve organizational systems through applying software that can help employees accomplish key business tasks more easily and efficiently. Project Overview

Riordan Manufacturing is requesting an analysis of their current Human Resources Information System, acronym HRIS, to integrate the existing variety of tools in use today into a single integrated application. The company would like to take advantage of a more sophisticated, state of the art, information systems technology in their Human Resources Department. The current HRIS system was designed and installed in 1992, which makes this system 18 years old. The system is not fully automated as evident in the current the procedures to update personal information. To update personal information, employees must complete a special form that is submitted to the payroll clerk who then manually enters the information into HRIS. Record keeping in HRIS is also de-centralized and has severe access limitations within the Human Resources department. Because information is recorded using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet rather than a database, complex querying is impossible

Recommendation

An obvious renovation of the 18 year old HRIS system is necessary. An updated HRIS system can automate many of the manual tasks the Human Resources department handles every day. With a more automated system in place, errors in record processing and keeping will be reduced, the department’s efficiency and speed will increase, and the overall morale within the company will improve. The current use of spreadsheets will also be shifted towards a database application which allow complex queries. A database program such as Microsoft Access can enable all employees in the Human Resources department to have access to a relational database with robust options (Nelson, 2010) .

Feasibility

This following feasibility assessment includes an economic and technical analysis of the project. The economic justification for this upgrade has both tangible and intangible benefits. Tangibles include cost reduction in consumed supplies like paper on which certain forms and reports are printed on, error reduction in reporting, increased staff flexibility, and increased speed on Human Resource tasks. The intangibles include increased employee morale, waste reduction, and increased availability of employee information within the department.
From the technical feasibility stand point, this project has low risk with a high reward. The number one reason why this project needs to be completed, is the fact that this project will replace a system that is 18 years old. Technical risks of this project are low because current employee information is recorded on Excel spreadsheets which can easily be updated into a database such as Access.

Conclusion

The ability to analyze and study the needs of an organization is an essential skill for a systems analyst. A systems analyst uses the concept of analysis and design to maintain and improve their information systems. The main goal of systems analysis and design is to improve organizational systems, typically through applying software that can help employees accomplish key business tasks more easily and efficiently (citation). References
LoveToKnow Corp.. (2010). YourDictionary.com. Retrieved from http://www.yourdictionary.com/computer/case
Maner, W. (1997, March). Prototyping. Retrieved from http://csweb.cs.bgsu.edu/maner/domains/Proto.htm
Nelson, E. (2010). Using Access or Excel to Manage Your Data. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/access-help/using-access-or-excel-to-manage-your-data-HA001042918.aspx

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