It is largely assumed that the advances in information technology realized in the latter half of the 1900s resulted in productivity gains in the workplace. Computers were able to perform millions of calculations far faster and with greater accuracy than their human counterparts, robots could work 24-hour shifts without breaks and without varying from a set pattern, and the World Wide Web makes it possible to communicate with individuals throughout the world. There have, in fact, been significant increases in productivity in various work functions, but there are also disadvantages in relying too heavily on technology. This research examines some of the areas which have realized productivity gains (including expert systems and Web based training), and also considers the trap of information technology.
CASE software automates many of the functions that system designers and programmers must perform. Analysts can use CASE to generate flow chart symbols by using a mouse to designate symbol choices and screen positions, and create data dictionaries through the labeling of processes. In some products, data dictionary entries are automatically made with many of the fields filled in based on the development environment. Process description at a detailed level (such as structured English) can allow automatic generation of program code based on algorithms entered by the developer, and prototype models can also be generated in most CASE software products (Martin, 1995, p. 54).
Implemented effectively, CASE can result in improved system development productivity, reduced productivity time, reduced maintenance costs, and enhanced information technology development. Since documentation is often generated automatically by CASE products, there is traceability which enables companies to recreate how programs work long after programmers have departed, and the automated aspect of CASE reduces some of the human error which can creep into system ...