Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Step 3: Identify
Project
Constraints
Step 1: Define
Business
Objectives
Step 2: Identify
Stakeholders and
Their Interests
Step 4: Define
Project Success
Criteria
Fig. 11.1
A process for defining success criteria (Wiegers
2009
)
to disappointing outcomes. Figure
11.1
describes the four-step process for defining
project success criteria. This chapter ideas and methods will promote correct habits
and enable project success (Wiegers
2009
).
11.1.2 Define Business Objectives
Business objectives are the motivations to take on the project. The enumeration of
each goal into an achievable task with success metrics allow for evaluation. For
instance it may be necessary to enter a certain market or develop something that is
new to a market or perhaps even create a new market. Other times a project may
mark the termination of a dying line of products. Whatever the goal may be, it is
necessary to make it both clear and transparent. Doing so will allow for the most
accurate assessment of completion. These business requirements should not be
confused with the structural and technical aspects of the coding process. A product
that is developed to specification is essentially wasted if there is no business
incentive. Business objectives typically address:
• What a product must be and do, including essential or distinguishing functions it
will perform and how well it will perform them.
• Economic constraints, including development costs, cost of materials, and time
to market.
• The product's operational and temporal context, such as technologies required
for compatibility in the target environment, backward compatibility, and future
extensibility.
Business objectives must be SMART: Specific (not vague), Measurable (not
qualitative), Attainable (not impossible), Relevant (not unimportant), and Time-
based (not open ended).
Table
11.1
illustrates some simple business objective statements. Record your
business goals and objectives in a high-level strategic guiding document for the
project. Such documents often include a vision and scope document, project
charter, project overview, business plan, business case and marketing requirements
