When selecting hardware and software, systems analysts often work as an evaluation
and selection team. A team approach ensures that critical factors are not overlooked and
that a sound choice is made. The evaluation and selection team also must include users,
who will participate in the selection process and feel a sense of ownership in the
new system.
The primary objective of the evaluation and selection team is to eliminate system
alternatives that will not meet requirements, rank the alternatives that are feasible, and
present the viable alternatives to management for a final decision. The process begins
with a careful study of the costs and benefits of each alternative, as explained in the
following section.