NCJ Number
85970
Date Published
1977
Length
35 pages
Annotation
The project reported developed cost and performance criteria by which an agency can measure current manual fingerprint systems against potential automation alternatives.
Abstract
The recommended approach first measures the current system. This includes defining the data base, measuring current activity, and measuring current costs, including major labor, burden, and associated costs, as well as the development of a unit cost per task. Additional guidance in measuring the current system includes the provision of a method of anticipating operational cost changes resulting from changes in data base, activity, and inflation factors. A method for evaluating key performance parameters is also presented. A major phase of the evaluation process consists of soliciting cost and performance data from automation system suppliers. This report presents a standardized solicitation format that will allow the agency to clearly state its needs and enable vendors to respond in a timely and accurate manner. Once the agency has collected data on both its current operational system and various technical approaches to automation, it must perform a comparative analysis. In this regard, the report discusses evaluating performance criteria, implementation cost, operating costs, and comparing the cost of manual and automated system approaches over extended periods. The report emphasizes the need for critical examination of automation objectives other than pure cost/performance. A glossary of terms and forms to be used in the analysis are provided. (Author summary modified)