STEP EIGHT: FEASIBILITY & FIT

This step answers the question: Does this investment make sense for us?

Sense consists of feasibility and fit. Feasibility tests whether the investment is possible and practical; fit determines whether the investment matches your goals and environment.

BEST PRACTICES

Best practice 47: Consider every dimension of feasibility

• Will the investment make money? This is economic feasibility; a corporate investor requires a rate of return at least as great as the percentage return that can be earned in comparable investment opportunities.

• Will it work? This is technical feasibility; is the product/solution feasible at the price, quality, schedule, and resource level specified in the business case?

• Can we do it? This is operational feasibility; do we have the capability, experience, will, and senior stakeholder support to deliver this investment?

• Can we afford it? This is financial feasibility: do we have the budget and funds to finance starting, building, and operating this investment.

Best practice 48: Consider every dimension of fit

• Does the investment support our strategy? All IT-enabled investments should contribute to at least one of a company's strategic objectives. There should be an explicit link between the expected results of an IT investment and business strategy.

•  Is it consistent with our enterprise architecture? "Enterprise architecture refers to the way relationships among components of an orgnaization, including processes, people, and technology, work together to create services and/or products." ValIT

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