| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the practice of evaluation of computer-based information
systems (CBIS) in Kenya. Computer-based information system is a relatively new
technology.
A great deal has, for some time now, been said about the importance of CBIS in
the overall performance of the organization. But while the importance of the CBIS
has. captured much attention culminating into the rush for its adoption by
organizations, relatively little is known about what organizations do about the
management of these systems, especially the control aspect of it when this is the core
of the success of any system.
A field study was conducted resulting in 32 respondents from a variety of
organizations based in Nairobi. The respondents were systems analysts, data
processing managers and any other person in the organization who may have had the
. .; i desired information (as may have been advised). The following were the major issues
examined: whether the organization had a system for continuous evaluation of
information systems, the methods used for evaluation, the factors considered when
evaluating, the existence of a written policy on evaluation, and for organizations that
do not evaluate, reasons as to why it is not done.
The findings reveal that most organizations do not have a written policy on
performance evaluation and also that most organizations do not evaluate their IS after
it has been installed and is in operation. Lack of company policy on evaluation,
unavailability of clear-cut evaluation methods, and costs of carrying out the exercise
were the main reasons given for lack of evaluation.
Further it was found that the few organizations that evaluate mostly use auditing
and financial control as methods of evaluation. The factors that are widely
considered when evaluating are the hardware performance and software performance.
The human factor was found to be the least considered factor in IS evaluation. | en |
