Exam-style question
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A small business has received a new stock-control system. The developer claims that it is successful because every requested feature is present. Explain why evaluating only the presence of features is insufficient. Describe how the business could carry out a broader evaluation, referring to at least four relevant criteria and the evidence that should be collected.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The presence of requested features provides evidence about functionality or fitness for purpose, but it does not show that the system is effective in practice.
- The business should first test each required stock-control task with representative data and confirm that the results are correct.
- It should evaluate usability by observing staff using the system and recording errors, completion times and the amount of assistance required.
- It should evaluate performance by measuring response times during normal use and when several users update stock simultaneously.
Explanation
Why this works
Evaluation should judge how well the complete system meets its intended purpose, not just whether functions exist. Evidence should be relevant, observable and linked to agreed criteria.
Considering several criteria can reveal problems such as slow response, difficult operation or unreliable data even when all advertised features are present.
Common mistake
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