COURSE LENGTH: 3 days
 
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This workshop is designed for any state
employee who needs to participate in the development and
preparation of a Feasibility Study Report.  It is appropriate
for anyone involved in defining business requirements or
developing information systems (e.g., executive management,
technical management and analysts, programmanagement, and budget
management, and budget analysts). Individuals involved in a
Feasibility Study should attend this workshop as well as anyone
who could be responsible for identifying and initiating projects
that include automation.
 
This course is not suitable for personnel who have extensive
experience in conducting feasibility studies and preparing feasibility
study reports.
 
PREREQUISITES: None
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This workshop teaches the basics of conducting a
feasibility study and preparing Feasibility Study Reports. The course
introduces processes for conducting an efficient and effective
Feasibility Study for information technology projects within the
State of California.  Feasibility studies answer three questions:
 
      1. What is this project all about?
 
      2. Should we do this project?
 
      3. How should we go about this project?
 
During the 3-day workshop, participants will learn how ideas and
problem solutions become projects for change.  The workshop
concentrates on business process problem analysis as a key tool
for identifying alternative solutions.  Participants spend time
working on case studies to experience and understand the processes
associated with developing a Feasibility Study Report.  The course
opens with an overview of the FSR process used within the State of
California.  When participants leave the workshop they will have
created the primary components of a Feasibility Study Report in
compliance with the guidelines outlined in the State Administrative
Manual.
 
COURSE OBJECTIVES: As part of CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY,
participants achieve the following learning objectives:
 
. understand the purpose and benefits provided by the Feasibility
  Study;
. describe the required contents of a Feasibility Study Report
  within State government;
. understand the requirements for receiving approval for the
  Feasibility Study Report by reviewing agencies;
. describe when and under what conditions a formal Feasibility
  Study is required and when it is NOT required;
. describe how information technology forms a foundation for
  improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's
  business processes, identifying the necessary support data and
  processes, and identifying the appropriate technology;
. experience the execution of the processes necessary to conduct the
  Feasibility Study;
. describe techniques for identifying problems in the current business
  processes;
. define the criteria of an acceptable solution;
. identify and analyze alternatives to solve the business problems or
  take advantage of opportunities;
. identify key elements of a cost/benefit analysis required for all
  alternatives that meet the solution criteria;
. recommend the best alternative;
. prepare an implementation plan;
. prepare a Feasibility Study Report that meets the requirements
  outlined in the State Administrative Manual; and
. understand the purpose and relationship of the Post Implementation
  Evaluation process to the Feasibility Study.