Objectives and alternatives in the context of systems analysis and MBO

Abstract

This paper considers tasks and techniques designed to improve analysis and communication in systems analysis and also management- by-objectives (MBO) planning. Specifically, a set of tasks is proposed for accomplishing the following steps of systems analysis: (1) setting objectives, and (2) developing alternatives. Several managerial techniques for setting objectives and developing alternatives are demonstrated, including the objectives /activities tree, the problem element interaction table, and the cross-interaction matrix. A short case study is presented in order to clarify the proposed system of tasks and techniques.