Monday, October 18, 2004 - 3:55 PM
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DEFINING REQUIREMENTS FOR A REGISTRY SOFTWARE APPLICATION

BACKGROUND:
In 2003 the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Immunization Program conducted an independent study to assess its existing registry applications and make recommendations for the future of registry efforts in New York State. It was recommended that the Immunization Program move to a single, centralized, web-based application to replace the three existing software applications. Subsequently NYSDOH spent several months defining requirements in preparation for issuing a solicitation to procure a new web-based application.

OBJECTIVE:
NYSDOH’ objectives in defining requirements were to produce a basis for vendor responses to the solicitation and to provide a basis for the design of a new application (or the modification of an existing application).

METHOD:
Various techniques were used to help define requirements including: analyzing existing applications; group interviews; individual interviews; and analysis of existing standards documentation. Importantly, a computerized requirements management tool was used to capture and present requirements.

RESULT:
The resulting requirements are well categorized, clear, unambiguous and provide a solid basis for vendor responses and application design. The use of a requirements management tool has helped in effectively managing an evolving set of requirements.

CONCLUSION:
NYSDOH has developed a strong foundation for the development of a new web-based application. As the project to develop the new application moves forward, the intention is to continue to use the requirements tool to manage the requirements dynamically as they evolve.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To understand the importance of developing requirements definitions for immunization registry software applications. To learn about the ways in which using requirements management tools can make the process of defining requirements more effective.

  Recorded presentation

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See more of The 2004 Immunization Registry Conference