Joanne Grey, a senior consultant, and David Young, a junior consultant, were assigned by their firm to conduct a systems analysis for a client. The objective of the study was to consider the feasibility of integrating and automating certain clerical functions. Joanne had previously worked on jobs for this client, but David had been hired only recently.

During the first morning on the job, Joanne directed David to interview a depart¬ mental supervisor and learn as much as he could about the department’s operations. David went to the supervisor’s office, introduced himself, and made the following statement: “Your company has hired my firm to study the way your department works and to make recommendations as to how its efficiency could be improved and its cost lowered. I would like to interview you to determine what goes on in your department.”

David questioned the supervisor for about 30 minutes but found him to be uncooperative. David then gave Joanne an oral report on how the interview had gone and what he had learned about the department.

Required Describe several flaws in the approach taken to obtain information about the operation of the department under study. How should this task have been performed?