A management computer coupled to a network device comprises: a processor; and a storage unit that stores effect determination information that defines conditions for determining an effect of an operation by the network device, the conditions being applied to a combination of setting items for the network device, and wherein the processor executes: to select, from among the combination of setting items, a specific combination matching a combination of a first setting item for the network device and a second setting item associated with the first setting item; to determine whether or not the combination of the first setting item and the second setting item satisfies the conditions applied to the specific combination if the specific combination is selected; to identify the presence or absence of an effect resulting from an operation of the network device on the basis of determination results; and to output identification results.