What fact-finding techniques should Susan and Gray consider during the preliminary investigation? Also develop a list of questions they should include in an employee survey.

What will be an ideal response?

During the preliminary investigation, Susan and Gray’s fact-finding techniques should include studying organization charts, performing interviews, reviewing current documentation, observing operations, and surveying users. If the systems request is approved, more intensive fact-finding will continue during the systems analysis phase.
If they conduct a survey, Susan and Gray should focus on user needs, and how the system might support them. The goal should to design a form that can easily be tabulated, and will involve a broad cross-section of people. As long as students understand the relative strengths and weaknesses, of the survey method, the specific questions are not that important. You also can remind students that surveys will be discussed, in much more detail, in Chapter 4, Requirements Analysis.