The Power of It: Maximizing Your Technology Investments

Requirements for Quality Information Systems

The Principles of Quality Management

Prevailing Conditions in the Information Technology Industry

Automating the Business Requirement

Requirements Definition Phase

Alternatives Analysis Phase

Design Phase

Construction and Integration Phase

Inspection and Approval Phase

A secondary theme is to examine each of the three factors (technical, operational and economic) using an iterative series of feasibility and trade-off analyses. The approach is to perform these analyses at each stage of the life cycle, with an emphasis on performing the most rigorous analyses early on in the requirements and design stages.

I like this approach because it is a straightforward process, enforces due diligence on the part of decision makers, and focuses on business aspects instead of technology. I'm impressed that the author was able to articulate such a sound approach in 150 pages, and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a method of ensuring that investments in technology are business driven. It earns an easy 5 stars.


Excellent Reference   May 3, 2000
William Scott Rule (Georgia, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book was writtent for the non-technology person. However, if you are a 'techie', I highly recommend this book. It covers the same material as any course you may have taken in college on Systems Analysis and Design, but places it in the context of Business Decision Making.

This book is concise in the way that it pinpoints the issues managers need to be aware of when evaluating systems and their alternatives. Braithwaite does not focus on details of systems - only the results of the system are of importance. Furthermore, the underlying theme of the book is that technology should not be implemented just 'because it's there', but only when and where it is needed and will provide a benefit to the business while having its cost justified.