using a project valuation method OR feasibility study approach, a risk analysis and a cost-benefit analysis

Item

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Comments/Suggestions

1. Does the Executive Summary provide concise information about the following:

· Why the project is necessary

· What alternatives were evaluated

· How the recommendation addresses the specific business issues

· What the goals and objectives are

· What are the measurable cost and savings

Must answer

· What you want to do

· What will LH get out of the project (e.g. Strategic Goals)

· How much will it cost (Estimate)

· How long will it take to return the investment (estimated)

2. Have the issues that are resulting in the need for the project been documented and agreed to?

3. Have the major goals and objectives of the project been identified?

4. Does the purpose and scope state very clearly:

· What you are requesting

· What functional areas in LH are impacted

· What is expected to result from this project (key deliverables)

· Someone who is not familiar with your project should be able to pick up the business case and understand what you want to do

5. Can someone who does not know your project, pick up the business case and understand:

· What is the background that is leading to this project

· What you are asking for

· What will be deliverables or results from the project

Write the business case and then put it down. Pick it up later (perhaps the next day) and re-read it. Is it written for “you” or for the “reader”

6. Have all relevant costs been considered? Such as:

· LH FTE’s (Internal labor costs)

· Hardware

· Hardware annual maintenance

· Software Development

· Application Buy /Software License fees

· User Training

· Outside contractor/consulting

· Advertising campaigns

· Etc

· Schedule a meeting with the principal people or areas involved to get their input and how this may or may not impact other projects

7. Have all tangible benefits/savings been considered? Such as:

· One time savings in cash flows (process Improvements)

· Increased revenues / New Business

· FTEs reductions

8. Have all individual departments responsible for the projected savings been contacted and do they agree with the savings projections/rationale?

9. Have costs and savings been spread over a multi-year projection (typically 5 years)?

10. How will you measure the projected savings?

11. Have intangible savings been considered?

12. Have you considered how this project may interface with other projects within LH?

13. Are the objectives and goals for this project SMART

· S pecific

· M easurable

· A chievable

· R ealistic

· T ime constrained (have a time factor associated with them)

14. Have all assumptions made for the business case been documented and agreed to?

15. What is the likelihood of realizing the projected savings?

16. Have other alternatives been identified that may achieve similar goals and objectives?

17. Have other departments whose resources may be required to support the project been contacted and are they in concurrence?

18. Has a return on investment and payback years been calculated?

Summarize this in the executive summary

19. Has a general time frame for implementation been defined?