246/520-308: Information Technologies
HOUSEHOLD CASE STUDY
1. Each team will select a household with at least two adults
residing there. The household may be one in which a member(s) of the group
lives. A typical family is actually the most useful and is desirable for a study of
this type, but gaining access to one is not always possible.
2. Your primary objective is to design and implement an information
technology analysis. Your group will act as a consulting firm hired by the
household you will be studying. You are expected to provide the expertise in
guiding the household to the most efficient and effective possible expenditure of
funds given their resources and needs.
A.
This analysis should carefully survey the status quo.
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Describe the household’s layout, including what technologies are
currently available and where they are located.
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Describe how each of the technologies is being used and by which
members of the household.
●
Describe each of the household members -- who are they, what are
they like, and what are their interests?
●
Assess the available leisure times for each household member.
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Assess the information needs (including “entertainment”) for each
member.
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Assess the information technology needs for each member.
B. After assessing the status quo, proceed in developing a plan for the future -information technology acquisition and/or more effective and efficient use of
existing technology. This plan will articulate short- and long-term objectives.
Provide a compelling and convincing rationale for the components of your
plan, along with current and projected costs (approximate dollar amounts and
anticipated increases or decreases). This means compiling a budget of current
and future expenditures versus income.
C. Your plan should address likely contingencies: for example, if household
members plan to move from an apartment to a house; one or more will be
moving out due to marriage, graduation, etc.; children entering into the
lifestyle picture, getting older, retirement, etc.
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D. Workplace careers also need to be factored in, including anticipated
increases (or decreases) in household income, working at home, etc..
E. Look for ways to serve both household and workplace needs simultaneously
with information technology purchase recommendations. For example, a new
home computer can be used for household and job purposes.
F. Allow for periodic check-ups to monitor progress and to incorporate any
changes due to developments within the family or on the information
technology front.
3. You should consider the entire range of currently available information
technologies as well as some technologies that are likely to become available
(either at a more reasonable price or merely coming on line [becoming available
for consumer purchase]). Information technologies include both technology
items and distribution systems (for example, TV sets and cable). You should
also consider features and add-ons to basic technology (for example, CD players).
4. Show how the SMCR and Rich/Lean models apply to your assessment of
needs and to your recommendations. For example, in a household where two
or more members need/want to use the computer on a daily basis and during the
same time period, having only one computer in the household would be a case
where the Sources’s needs are not compatible with the available Channel. Or a
household wanting to add full satellite service to an already existing full cable
service where most of the TV programs currently viewed are broadcast and
available without cable or satellite subscriptions is an example of Lean individual
needs and Rich channel selections.
5. Please bear in this in mind. Your job as a consultant is NOT to merely ask
household members what they need or want and then recommend that they get
those items. A compelling and convincing rations is NOT: “They wanted a big
screen TV, so that was what we recommended.” Of course you will want to
identify what members need/want, but your recommendations should be grounded
in expert knowledge and wisdom. The family may well decide to go ahead with
something that you have not recommended. Your only obligation is to make
reasonable, defensible, expert recommendations.
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