In an effort to decrease the backlog of information systems that need development within your organization, senior management has supported the growth of end-user computing. So far, most developments have been confined to microcomputer applications developed by managers and analysts using widely available microcomputer software. End users have become increasingly sophisticated, however, in their information system needs and their abilities to develop their own systems.

As a result of pressures from several managers who are active in the development and implementation of end-user systems, top management authorized the purchase of a widely used, sophisticated fourth-generation package to be run on your organization's mainframe. The managers argued that the package would overcome some major limitations they were experiencing in their efforts to develop innovative applications aimed at giving the organization a competitive edge.

The package was installed, and end users quickly started to experiment with its capabilities. Almost immediately, however, response times and throughput on the mainframe degraded considerably. The information systems manager who had opposed the purchase of the package in the first place called for its removal from the system. The end-user managers reacted angrily and argued that he was trying to sabotage their use of the package. Although no benchmark tests had been undertaken with the package before its purchase and installation, they pointed to its successful use in more than 40 other similar organizations.

Required: You are the internal audit manager for the organization. Top management has directed the controller to resolve the problems, and he has asked your assistance because he knows you have expertise in computer system performance evaluation. Write a brief report indicating how you will approach the task, the possible causes of the problem, the type of performance data you will gather, and the tools you will use to gather the performance data.