As you consider various development strategies for the TIMS system, you receive specific directions from your supervisor, Jesse Baker. She wants you to determine whether vertical software packages exist, and she wants you to explore outsourcing options for the new system. She also expects you to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of developing TIMS in-house, and she wants your input on outsourcing and prototyping.

1. Determine whether vertical software packages exist for training operations management. Search the Internet and draft a message describing the results.
2. Investigate the possibility of outsourcing the TIMS system. List the options, together with advantages and disadvantages of each.
3. Follow Jesse’s e-mail instructions about calculating payback, ROI, and NPV for the TIMS system.
4. Jesse wants my thoughts on how we can use prototyping for TIMS. She also wants me to prepare a system requirements document and a management presentation.