CHAPTER 04

What are some critical success factors for effectively conducting an analysis of HRIS
needs?
1. Define objectives and goals: Before conducting an analysis of HRIS needs, it is essential to
define the objectives and goals of the organization. This will help in identifying the
functionalities required in an HRIS system.
2. Involve stakeholders: Involve all stakeholders, including HR managers, IT professionals, and
end-users, in the analysis process. This will help in identifying the requirements and challenges
faced by each stakeholder and finding a solution that meets everyone's needs.
3. Assess current processes: Conduct a thorough assessment of the current HR processes,
including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and compensation. This will help in
identifying the areas that require improvement and the functionalities required in an HRIS
system.
4. Prioritize requirements: Prioritize the requirements based on their importance and the impact
they will have on the organization. This will help in selecting an HRIS system that meets the
critical requirements.
5. Consider scalability: Consider the scalability of the HRIS system. The system should be able to
handle the organization's growth and expansion.
6. Consider user-friendliness: The HRIS system should be user-friendly and easy to use. It should
not require extensive training for the end-users to use the system.
7. Consider cost: Consider the cost of the HRIS system, including the implementation cost,
maintenance cost, and training cost. Select an HRIS system that meets the organization's
budget.

The following are the typical STAGES OF THE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE :
1. Planning: In this stage, the project team defines the problem statement, project scope, objectives, and
deliverables. The team conducts a feasibility study to assess the project's viability and identifies the
stakeholders, risks, and constraints. The project team develops a project plan that outlines the project's
schedule, budget, and resources required.
2. Analysis: In this stage, the project team analyzes the requirements of the software system. The team
identifies the user requirements, functional requirements, and non-functional requirements such as
performance, security, and scalability. The project team documents the requirements in a requirements
specification document.
3. Design: In this stage, the project team develops the software system's architecture, data model, and
user interface design. The team selects the appropriate development platform, programming language,
and tools. The project team documents the design in a design specification document.
4. Implementation: In this stage, the project team develops the software system using the selected
programming language, tools, and platform. The team codes the software system according to the
design specifications. The team also conducts unit testing to verify that the code meets the
requirements.
5. Maintenance: In this stage, the project team maintains the software system by fixing any bugs or issues
that arise, making updates to the software system, and providing support to end-users. The team may
also conduct periodic reviews of the software system to identify areas for improvement.
 Corrective Maintenance—There will be times that despite the best efforts of designers and
implementers, something in the system doesn’t work properly and must be
  Adaptive Maintenance—The human resources environment is always changing and evolving. For
example, new government regulations affecting HR practices, such as legislation addressing
racial and gender discrimination, can prompt new requirements or alter the old requirements of
the system.
 Perfective Maintenance—The goal of perfective maintenance is to tweak or improve on the
existing system. For example, a more efficient routine that speeds up processing times could be
developed in the maintenance phase.
 Preventative Maintenance—Preventative maintenance focuses on the ongoing requirements of
maintaining the hardware and software than runs the HRIS. Such a maintenance action will
prevent future system crashes due to inadequate hardware.

Describe the purpose of needs analysis and why it is important

Needs analysis is a systematic process that helps individuals or organizations identify and evaluate their
current situation, define their goals and objectives, and determine the necessary resources and actions
to achieve those goals. In other words, needs analysis helps to bridge the gap between the current state
and the desired future state.
 The primary purpose of needs analysis is to provide a clear understanding of the problem or
issue at hand and identify the underlying causes. It helps to determine the scope of the problem
and identify the specific areas that need improvement. Needs analysis also helps to identify the
resources, skills, and knowledge required to address the problem, which can inform the
development of effective strategies and solutions.
 Needs analysis is important for a number of reasons. First, it ensures that resources are directed
towards the areas of greatest need, which can help organizations prioritize their efforts and
allocate resources effectively. Second, it helps to establish clear goals and objectives, which can
guide decision-making and measure progress. Third, it can help to identify potential barriers and
obstacles to success, allowing organizations to proactively plan for and mitigate those challenges
Explain how the analysis phase of the SDLC informs the needs analysis process
The analysis phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) can inform the needs analysis process
in several ways. The analysis phase of the SDLC involves gathering and analyzing information about the
current system, its users, and its requirements. This information can help to identify gaps or areas for
improvement in the current system, which can inform the needs analysis process.
1. Firstly, the analysis phase of the SDLC can help to identify the current system's strengths and
weaknesses. By analyzing the current system, it is possible to determine which functions are
working well and which are not. This information can help to identify the requirements for a
new system or the areas for improvement in the existing system.
2. Secondly, the analysis phase of the SDLC can help to identify user needs and requirements.
Through interviews, surveys, and other data collection methods, it is possible to identify the
needs and requirements of the system users. This information can help to determine the
features and functionality required in the new system.
3. Thirdly, the analysis phase of the SDLC can help to identify technical requirements. By examining
the current system's infrastructure, it is possible to determine the technical requirements of the
new system. This information can help to ensure that the new system is compatible with the
current infrastructure and meets technical specifications.

Outline the main stages of needs analysis

Needs analysis is a systematic process of determining and assessing the learning needs of individuals,
groups, or organizations. The main stages of needs analysis are as follows:
1. Identify the purpose and scope of the needs analysis: The first stage is to identify the purpose
and scope of the needs analysis. This involves defining the problem, setting goals, and
determining the audience or group for whom the analysis is intended.
2. Collect data: The second stage involves collecting data about the identified problem. Data
collection methods can include surveys, interviews, observations, focus groups, and review of
existing documentation.
3. Analyze data: The third stage is to analyze the collected data to identify the gaps between the
current situation and the desired situation. This stage helps to determine the areas that require
improvement and the factors that contribute to the identified problem.
4. Prioritize needs: The fourth stage involves prioritizing the identified needs based on their
urgency and importance. Prioritizing needs helps to allocate resources and address the most
critical needs first.
5. Develop solutions: The fifth stage involves developing solutions to meet the identified needs.
Solutions may include training programs, job aids, changes in processes, or other interventions.
6. Implement solutions: The sixth stage involves implementing the solutions developed in the
previous stage. This involves designing and delivering training programs, providing job aids, and
making changes to processes as required.
7. Evaluate results: The final stage involves evaluating the results of the implemented solutions.
Evaluation helps to determine if the solutions addressed the identified needs and if they were
effective. This stage also provides feedback to improve future needs analyses and interventions.