Determining Client Requirements
Some of the Important Issues
There are many important issues you should discuss with the client and I have listed some of these below:
- Details of their existing system (software & hardware) and what they use it for.
- Why are they changing their system
- What do they expect of the new system?
- What tasks does/will each staff member use a computer for?
- Backup & Recovery plan (exiting & new). What arrangements are in place and are they satisfactory? Do they have a detailed written recovery plan?
- Will they be using E-mail, internet, WebPages, etc.
- Security – Who needs access to what data?
- Conversion of existing data.
- Does the new software need to be compatible with somebody elses (accountant, major supplier or client, etc).
- Maintenance.
- Licensing. Where will be licenses & original disks be stored, and what records of these will be kept?
- What are their future plans? Expansion of business, etc?
- Time frame for how long they expect new software and hardware configuration to last.
- Installation time frame.
- Ongoing support requirements
- Location of hardware. Is the proposed location suitable and in a clean environment?
- Training.
- Budget.
Remember these are just some of the issues, there are probably many more and it is important for you to obtain as much information as possible.
