Description

Using Modeling During Systems Analysis

The Learning Resources for this week highlight the importance of taking a measured and methodical approach to planning for an information technology system at a health care organization. This Discussion gives you the opportunity to reflect on the different types of modeling that can be employed during systems analysis and to consider the value that modeling can bring to the process.

To prepare for this Discussion, consider the following scenario:

You are a member of a task force at a multi-specialty practice that is planning to purchase an electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) system. Although you and the other task force members are aware of the diverse functional needs of your practice and of the potential capabilities of e-prescribing systems that would supposedly meet these needs, you are not convinced that any e-prescribing system will ultimately achieve a high level of adoption and use within the practice. You decide to do some modeling as part of systems analysis; however, you and your fellow task force members are working under tight deadlines and only have a very limited window of time in which to do the modeling.

By Day 4, post a comprehensive response to the following:

· What one kind of modeling would you opt to do in this scenario? Why?

· How would doing this particular kind of modeling benefit the practice in the short term?

· How would it benefit the practice farther along in the systems development life cycle?

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 6, respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Expand on the colleague’s posting with additional insight and resources.
• Offer polite disagreement or critique, supported with evidence.

In addition, you may respond as follows:

• Offer and support an opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion or comment that guides or facilitates the discussion.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments. You are not required to post these final insights.