The impact of requirements analysis upon user satisfaction with packaged software

This article explores the relationship between carrying out requirements analysis activities and ultimate satisfaction with the software acquired. The requirements analysis activities performed by a sample of twelve organizations which acquired a particular general accounting package are evaluated. The satisfaction with the package is determined and analysis performed to establish the relationships between requirements analysis and user satisfaction. It is determined that for the particular population sampled there is little relationship. Possible reasons for this counter-intuitive finding are advanced.