the PIECES Framework

A checklist for identifying problems with an existing information system.

• Performance
  • Throughput
  • Response Time
• Information (and Data)
  • Outputs
    • Lack of any information
    • Lack of necessary information
    • Lack of relevant information
    • Too much information – information overload
    • Information that is not in a useful format
    • Information that is not accurate
    • Information that is difficult to produce
    • Information that is not timely to its subsequent use
  • Inputs
    • Data is not captured
    • Data is not captured in time to be useful
    • Data is not accurately captured – contains errors
    • Data is difficult to capture
    • Data us captured redundantly – same data is captured more than once
    • Too much data is captured
    • Illegal data is captured
  • Stored Data
    • Data is stored redundantly in multiple files and/or databases
    • Stored data is not accurate
    • Data is not secure from accident or vandalism
    • Data is not well organized
    • Data is not flexible – not easy to meet new information needs from stored data
    • Data is not accessible
• Economics
  • Costs
    • Costs are unknown
    • Costs are untraceable
    • Costs are too high
  • Profits
    • New markets can be explored
    • Current marketing can be improved
• Control (and Security)
  • Too little security or control
    • Input data is not adequately edited
    • Crimes (e.g. fraud, embezzlement) are (or can be) committed against the data
    • Ethics are breached on data or information – refers to data or information getting to unauthorized people
    • Redundantly stored data is inconsistent in different files or databases
    • Data privacy regulations or guidelines are being (or can be) violated
    • Processing errors are occurring (either by people, machines, or software)
    • Decision- making errors are occurring
  • Too much control or security
    • Bureaucratic red tape slows the system
    • Controls inconvenience customers or employees
    • Excessive controls cause processing delays
• Efficiency
  • People, machines, or computers waste time
    • Data is redundantly input or copied
    • Data is redundantly processed
    • Information is redundantly generated
  • People, machines, or computers waste materials and suppliers
    • Effort required for tasks is excessive
    • Materials required for tasks is excessive
• Service
  • The system produces inaccurate results
  • The system produces inconsistent results
  • The system produces unreliable results
  • The system is not easy to learn
  • The system is not easy to use
  • The system is awkward to use
  • The system is inflexible to new or exceptional situations
  • The system is inflexible to change
  • The system is incompatible with other systems
  • The system is not coordinated with other systems