Software Engineering for Students A Programming Approach

34 Chapter 3 ■ The feasibility study
SELF-TEST QUESTION
3.2 If the software cost were doubled, would the decision be the same?
3.6 ● Discussion
It is notoriously difficult to predict the cost of a system and therefore it is very difficult
to carry out a feasibility study. This may explain why it is common to ignore it. There is,
however, another common reason for avoiding a feasibility study: once an idea for a system
has been suggested, the project generates its own momentum, people become
committed to it and it cannot be stopped. Instead people talk about a business case for the
system, which tends to emphasize the positive aspects while minimizing the negative.
Bear in mind that sometimes the feasibility study plays a large part in deciding that
the project should be abandoned.
Summary
A feasibility study is an investigation to check that a development is worthwhile. It
is carried out at the start of a project. It assesses technical feasibility and costs.
Cost-benefit analysis compares the cost of developing the system with the money
saved by using it. The costs include development, additional hardware, maintenance
and training.
Exercises
•3.1 Suggest how a feasibility study would be conducted for each of the systems outlined
in Appendix A.
3.2 Discuss the validity of using cost-benefit analysis, especially in socially useful applications.