Week 10

Discuss four possible approaches for changing from one information system to another and explaining the implications of using each of these approaches at Health Centre’s to change from the existing manual system to the new CHIS including discussion of the benefits and problems associated with each approach.

There are four different approaches with different risks and the cost factors.

1 Direct changeover : In this changeover method the changeover is immediate from the old system to the new system. In this system the operating costs will be less as only one system will be in operation at a time. However, there is also a disadvantage as there will not be a backup. There is a chance that the Health centre may not support both the systems, then the best option for the health centre’s is to use this method.

2 Parallel Operation : In this changeover method, both the old and the new system operates fully  at a particular time. In this method the data is entered in both the systems and is tested for consistency. If the health centres adopt this method then there is least risk as the results can be compared and a back up is created. However, this method is relatively as both the systems operates for a full period.

 3 Pilot Operation : In this changeover method, the new system is installed in a single department in an organization and the rest of the organization continues to use the old system. In this changeover method the cost is relatively moderate as the new system is tested only at one particular site and the risk involved is also less.

4 Phased changeover- In this the changeover method, the new system is implemented in different stages or modules across the Health Centres. In this system  a part of the new system is installed at the health centres for testing and the cost involved in this method is also less as the new system is implemented in stages and the risk involved is also less.