User Groups:

The next step would be to identify more specifically the potential user groups. This may be done on the basis of interviews, questionnaires, study of organisational and functional charts, etc. The type of questions to which answers will have to be found include: 

• Can the user group be identified? Is it a distinct, visible, homogeneous group? 
• Can the identified group be benefited from the information services? 
• How diverse is the information requirement of the group with respect to professional objectives, functions, work patterns, educational background, etc? 
• What are the user-related constraints on the services? For example : 
• Are there sub-group or individuals who would be given a higher priority in providing information services? 
• Is the composition  of the group frequently changing and is there a mechanism by which the changes can be quickly identified? 
• Is there a preference among sub-groups and individuals for particular types of in-formation services, the time  when such services  are to be rendered, etc. ? 
• Will some information be  restricted in dissemination for named persons only? 
• Will some, all, or none of the services be charged for?
• If there will be a charge, on which category of  users (e.g. users from other systems/organisations) will the charges be levied? 
• Are there individual differences  in personal attitude, educational background,  training, experience, competence, area of specialisation, etc., among the users that may influence the types of services requested?