IS2210: Systems
Analysis, Systems
Design and Change
Email: cathal.doyle@umail.ucc.ie
Twitter: @InstCathalDoyle
Website: www.cathaldoyle.com
Learning Outcomes
O Understand the stages of the SDLC
O Understand how to apply a framework to a
case study
O Understand the implications for practice
Introduction
O Realised the project would follow stages of
the SDLC
O Considers it an adaptation of the SDLC
O This highlights that the SDLC can be applied
to both development and non-development
contexts
Planning Phase: Problem
Definition
O Home health was a standalone facility from
the hospital
O The software was at least 7 years old, and
could not keep up with demands
O The current system was also not scalable to
the growing needs within the environment
O Therefore the objective was to
O Modernise their operations with current
technology
O Provide the best patient care available to
their clients in the Home Health arena
Feasibility Study
O Technical (do we have the necessary resources
and infrastructure to support the software if it is
acquired?)
O Economic (do we have the financial resources to
pay for it, including support and maintenance?)
O Operational (do we have properly trained
individuals who can operate and use the
software?)
O There was $250,000 for procurement (economic
feasibility)
O IT infrastructure was up-to-date with regard to
supporting new software (technical feasibility)
O Support staff and potential end users were well
trained and enthusiastic about the new
technology (operational feasibility)
Analysis Phase: Requirements
Gathering
O Met with various stakeholders (i.e. Director
of the Home Care facility, potential endusers)
O Notes were taken at the meetings
O Requirements were then collated into a
spreadsheet
O MEDITECH Compatible
O One of the most important requirements
O They are one of the leading software vendors
in the health care informatics industry
O Vital the new software is Medictech
compatible
O Point of Care Documentation
O This is a recent shift in technology use in
hospitals
O Reduces inefficiencies, decreases the
probability of errors, promotes information
transfer, etc.
O OASIS Analyser
O OASIS is a system developed for Medicare
and Medicaid Services
O Allows staff to work more intelligently, looking
to improve clinical and financial results
O Considered a “must have” requirement
O Physician Portal
O The software must have an entryway for
attending, resident, or primary caregiver
physician
O This should give them immediate access to
critical patient data and history
O Other Must Haves Requirements
O Special billing and accounts receivable
modules
O Real-time reports, and built in dashboards to
provide business intelligence
O System must be user friendly
O Desirable Requirements
O Security
O Trial period available
Other Issues
O Is the proposed solution a Home Health-only
product, or is it part of a larger system?
O Are there other modules available (ability to
sync data with a PDA or smart phone)?
O Is there a web demo available to view online,
or interact with in real situations?
Other Observations
O Kept track of information such as
experience, dependability, and
professionalism of vendors
O Anecdotal evidence of vendors was also
captured
Design
O They felt no design was required as they
were purchasing the software
O Does this make sense?
O They had a shortlist of 5 vendors that they
reduced to 2 as this stage
The Choice
O A meeting was held with the primary
stakeholders of Home Health’s division
O A decision was made together to invite
Vendor B to demonstrate their solution
O Gave a solid presentation, and Home Health
was very much their focus
O Another vendor got to present also
O Gave a solid presentation, but Home Health
was merely only a small part of their
business
O They went with Vendor B
Ironically…
O The vendor’s software was not Meditech
compatible
O What does this mean?
O They needed to hire another company to
build a customised solution
Implementation Phase
O Types of Installation
O Direct Installation
O Parallel Installation
O Single Location Installation
O Phased Installation
O Used the “Parallel Installation” method
O Users were required to enter information
into both systems, but after 60 days the “go
live” date came into effect
O Training was provided two weeks before the
“go live” date
Maintenance/Support Phase
O Software upgrades are provided every 6
weeks by the vendor
O These proved non disruptive to the system
O All end users were satisfied with the
outcome
The Case Study
O Implications for practice
O Shows that concepts learned in the
classroom can be effectively applied in a
business environment
O Applying due diligence can lead to good
rewards
O Shows that the SDLC is not just an academic
model
Thanks
O Any questions?