A need was found in the Information Technology area of the Literature, Communication and Culture department of Georgia Tech.  The department has no standard platform as far as computer systems are concerned. It was important to analyze this problem because the LCC department needs to develop a standard for future hardware and software purchases.  This standard will allow the LCC department to maintain a platform among all professors and students.  

This need was examined and analyzed by Professor Ty Herrington's’ Technical Communications classes.  The problem was divided into four areas: current and potential software, hardware and needs and uses.  Each group, Existing Software, Existing Hardware, Potential Software and the Departmental Needs and Uses, analyzed different aspects of the project.  Each of these groups consisted of approximately twenty people.  The individual members of each group worked independently to achieve the objective.  The work of each individual was compiled and then the independent work of each group was compiled as well.  This led to the final report completed August 25, 1998.  Individuals in the class wrote portions of the final report, such as the introduction, conclusion and cover page.  

The Existing Software group had the responsibility of analyzing the software currently being used within the LCC department.  The information collected by this group will, in an objective manner, explain and establish what software exists within the LCC department.  Once that data was collected, the group was able to analyze and determine if any type of platform exists or if one can easily be established.  This information will aid in the attempt to achieve a standard platform.  

The Existing Hardware group had the responsibility of analyzing the available hardware in the LCC department.  This analysis was important because it determined the technological capacity of the department is.  The information collected will impact the future purchases of software as well as hardware.  The information collected by this group includes the following: hardware brand, speed and compatibility issues.  All of these aspects are very important.  

The Potential Software group had the responsibility to analyze possible software packages to be used throughout the LCC department.  This analysis provides information for future purchases of software.  Having a list of potential software packages to chose from will allow the LCC department to expand and develop computing uses while still maintaining a standard platform.

The Department Needs and Uses group had the responsibility of determining and analyzing the current departmental needs and uses of software.  The data collected by this group includes information ranging from skill level to advanced uses.  This information is important because it shows what information technology systems are used for within the LCC department.  With this information, the Potential Software, for example, group was able to recommend an appropriate software package. 

The four groups were dependent upon each other for information; this lead to the need for communication among all of the groups. Information and conclusions made by one group affect conclusions made by other groups.  An example of this may be if a professor only uses his or her computer for word processing and checking email, he or she will not need the same hardware as someone that is creating or running interactive multimedia programs.