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What affected the functionality that was delivered?: Prototyping methodology

A Q&A system for Multinational underwriting was developed from the XUK analysis work. It was developed by Keith, an underwriter who had no experience of developing systems. He used Q&A because that was the standard tool being used in the City to develop their own PC based systems (00889). Initially the system had three separate files to handle the three different policy types but was expanded when Multinational Services was set up in Essex so that they also had a database (00890). The system was also used in Holland and a separate claims system was developed for another group in Essex (01037, 00813, 01119). All this work was done largely on Keith's initiative (00813) with little management recognition. As a consequence of the lack of management interest the quality of the data was dubious (00890, 01125, 01035, 00478).

Q&A was not a sophisticated database system so only one person could use a file at once and the data between Essex and the City was synchronised overnight (00890, 00511, 00510). Despite its limitations, and the tendency to look back with rose-tinted glasses (01035), the Q&A system did allow the underwriters to report on their own data so that those who wanted to exploit the system could (00934).

Social influence:
Technical influence:
IT environment: Existing systems

Commentary
Social influence
Technical influence

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© Clare Tagg 2000