Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Produce
Produce ICT ICT
feasibility
feasibility
reports
reports
student guide
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CONTENTS
Overview 3
Topic 1: Client requirements 4
Topic 2: Reviewing alternatives 13
Topic 3: Preparing the feasibility report 24
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Overview
Learning goals
Learning goals include:
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Topic 1: Client requirements
During these initial discussions and communications, the client may require further information to
be able to establish their requirements. For example, they will most likely need to know the fees
and charges for support outside of the scope of the project and after completion to determine the
budget.
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The client’s business domain
It is important to have a strong working relationship with a client when undertaking an ICT project.
Establishing a good working business relationship can support in identifying client needs and open
communication channels for liaising with the client during the project.
In order to gather information from the client and analyse their requirements, it is essential to
understand what the organisational environment is like, the stakeholders involved in the project,
what the organisation does and how it is structured.
A client’s business domain can be complex and specifically characterised by the nature of the
business model as well as the culture of the company.
Politics Structure
Stakeholders
The organisational stakeholders are the key players in an organisation. There are different
stakeholders within a project. Each will have their own role and degree of involvement. Those that
will be involved in the feasibility report may not be involved in the actual work of the project.
Stakeholders can be senior management through to anyone who will be impacted by the project.
Key stakeholders will usually be the people in authority and the ones directly communicating and
decision making for the project.
Some stakeholders will hold different roles. For example, staff using the software will not have as
much input into the feasibility report as say, the senior management.
To understand who is responsible for making decisions, approving and communicating with
during the project.
To have subject matter experts who may be responsible for undertaking sections of the
project.
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Defining project scope
Before a feasibility report is even
considered, the project scope needs to be
defined. The project scope defines what is
part of the project and what is not. It can
also be seen as a boundary.
Accurate scope definition will make
conducting the feasibility study and
producing a meaningful feasibility report
easier. It will reduce the chance of
misunderstandings about the goals of the
report.
Image by Kylie Haulk on Unsplash
An important part of defining the scope is conducting research
to have a thorough understanding of the relevant legislation,
industry and organisational standards and guidelines that apply to the task required.
Timing
Budgeting
Feasibility Policy
Budgets Resources
Features Timings
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Problem context and opportunity
Once client requirements have been gathered, analysing these will involve looking at what the
client has requested and what can actually be achieved. This is where the project scope is
determined and the problem or opportunity realised.
Establishing the business problem is the initial step in determining the context of the business
need. This involves working with the client and relevant stakeholders to establish the problem so
that it can be further defined into a workable solution.
The business problem provides an overview and basis for finding a solution. A business problem
could be:
The quality of Internet service is poor for customers when conducting online shopping from the
company website.
The library ICT infrastructure is not coping with the amount of devices connecting to the
network.
Problem Opportunity
The library ICT infrastructure is not Create further access points and install
coping with the amount of devices repeaters to increase performance.
connecting to the network.
The business problem must have achievable outcomes. Outcomes are the goals that a business
would like to achieve. Objectives ae the criteria to be met in order for the project to achieve
success. Establishing the business problem will include defining the project objectives (these
should be SMART objectives).
Client objectives could be:
The network needs to have a higher bandwidth to cope with the amount of network traffic.
The ICT wireless network must cope with further expansion needs
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Activity: Read
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Document, review and confirm client requirements
The reality is that while you are gathering all of the information
needed to identify the client requirements, you will be
documenting everything. Every organisation will have its own way
of doing this and templates to be used.
However, before anything is submitted to the client to confirm, the
information collected to date needs to be formally documented
and reviewed internally by the appropriate people. Starting with
the problem statement.
Image by Bernd Klutsch on Unsplash
Background information
Scope
This can form the basis for a client requirements report, which provides confirmation of what will be
delivered. It should also incorporate any problems, issues and further requirements that have been
identified during the information gathering and analysis process.
A client requirements report will come in different formats and have different headings; however, it
can broadly cover:
criteria for achievement of objectives (for example, coping with future demands)
constraints:
o budget
o project timelines
o resources available.
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It is important that documentation is:
Formatted in the
organisational Free of jargon
Structured Professionally Visually
style which and written in
clearly and in a written and appealing and
match the clear plain
logical format presented concise
clients’ English
requirements
Documentation is an important aspect of a project lifecycle and may include formal procedures,
processes and templates. It can also include collecting client documentation such as network
maps, ICT infrastructure information, hardware and software assets, etc.
Part of documenting client requirements will include identifying the sources of information gathered.
This makes sure that the appropriate sources have been used to collect the right information.
The client requirements report should then be presented in a professional document to the client
for review, approval and sign-off before the feasibility study is commenced. This provides a formal
agreement that the client requirements have been identified accurately and the scope of the
feasibility study and report established.
Before submitting any reports or documentation to the client, the information gathered, analysed
and documented should be checked to ensure it meets the client’s initial business requirements.
Presenting the information in a logical and professionally structured format can support the
decision-making process. A client’s requirements report may also support any further
documentation and information gathered and analysed.
Review of documentation may be specified by the client or organisational standards. For example,
there may be a standard procedure for reviewing documentation that is distributed for approval for
various stages of the project for sign off. It could include subject matter experts, project managers,
financial managers, directors or business units.
Reviews can include checking for accuracy and completeness, as well as ensuring that the initial
business outcomes and objectives are being met. The project team may be responsible for
ensuring that this has been carried out before a final approval is given by the project manager.
There will be a wide range of documentation created during the project initiation stage. This could
be formal documentation which follows a project life cycle framework, organisational procedure
documentation, project management software documentation, reports, diagrams, mapping,
functional specifications, network maps, and all associated recorded information gathering.
Documentation should also be kept up to date with any changes or deviations from the original
documents made and recorded. This can be done using a standard framework, version control,
notes and comments in code, along with messages, emails or progress reports.
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Activity: Group work – Problem statement
reading of verbal and non-verbal signals to convey and clarify information and to
confirm understanding
accept responsibility for planning and sequencing complex tasks and workload
negotiate key aspects with others and take into account capabilities, efficiencies
and effectiveness
review and change plans and schedules to meet new demands and priorities
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
What documentation would you need to support determining the client
requirements?
In your group, create a delivery method that could be used to present the report in a
meeting with the client (this will be role-played by your trainer/assessor and be
undertaken as a class activity). The aim of the meeting is to present the
requirements to the client so that they can confirm and approve for the next stage of
the project.
It must be professionally presented and in a clear, easy to follow structure.
The meeting should be equally contributed to by each member of the team.
During the meeting you must demonstrate effective communication skills including:
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International College of Australia Pty Ltd T/A Western Sydney College
RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Topic 2: Reviewing alternatives
The next step in the process, once the client has confirmed the documented requirements and
scope, is to identify the requirements for the new system, which will address the problems as
defined in the initial problem statement.
Future requirements
The information gathered should be analysed to identify the future requirements that will address
all of the business problems.
Future client requirements looks at future expansion plans or needs, trends, coping with future
demands, projections for further resource requirements, changing technology and business
practices and processes.
This will include determining any improvement options, ICT resources, hardware, software and
infrastructure requirements that will be able to cope with future demands. It can support decision
making when it comes to looking at what may be needed in the future and allowing for expansion
and advancement.
Requirements can be classified as:
FUNCTIONAL NON-FUNCTIONAL
Describes what the system is going to do. This Describes how the system will work such as
could be using a database to store records or the speed or performance of the system,
a system that produces financial reports. interface or security.
To analyse functional requirements processes This information can be gathered from the
such as data flow diagrams can be used to system itself and users of the system.
map information flows or data modelling to
determine input, output and processing of data
in the system.
environment
geography
cost constraints
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Techniques to describe system functions
Case diagrams
State-chat diagrams
Network diagrams/maps
Requirements can range from the straightforward (development of a business intranet) to the most
complex (an e-commerce solution for selling cryptocurrency).
To allow online transactions over the Create a link for About Us, Contact Us
Internet and Products and Services
Provide a privacy policy for acceptance Provide customer access to track orders
displayed for the customer
Allow an option to download privacy policy
Ability to display products and services
Ensure all products and services have
with images of each
descriptions with links for an option to buy
Customer details are captured
Provide 3 options for payment of goods
Link sales to the inventory system and services
Any solutions identified should take into consideration what the current requirements are but should
also provide for future developments. ICT projects often face challenges in defining, quantifying
and managing:
Costs
Benefits
Risks.
Some of the main requirements can include looking at:
Environmental and
Innovation Job roles, responsibilities, tasks
sustainability issues
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Possible considerations for current ICT infrastructure when installing new computers
What is the current functionality and how Will the current system cope with the new
can it be improved? changes identified?
What are the plans for future expansion? What would be the impacts of future
demands on the current system?
Will it cope with any future expansion?
How will security cope with future
How will it cope with future expansion?
demands?
Will it cope with additional devices?
Will employees have enough knowledge
and skills?
improvement
upgrades
replacement
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Activity: Group work
List the system’s current functionality. Focus on the hardware and networking
infrastructure.
Provide a network diagram map to support and illustrate the set up.
Undertake to find out the performance of the system (this can be testing the
connection or speed).
List any issues or problems that you come across or seek information from the
RTO to find out any current issues.
Project objectives
Budget
Resources
Timescales
Any constraints
The aim is to determine the most feasible option. A feasibility study can be conducted using a
formal framework or step by step process so that the options are investigated with equality.
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Feasibility types
Operational: analysing the behaviour of the proposed system and whether it is easier than
the existing system.
Technical: if the hardware and software of the existing system can support the proposed
system.
Economic: determines the total cost for the development of the new system and the
benefits derived from its implementation.
Schedule: identifies whether there is available time to do the project in the deadlines
provided.
Legal: identifies the legislation that applies to the business problem and assesses any
contracts or agreements to determine the legal risks in moving forward with the project.
provides focus.
The feasibility study can help identify any constraints such as:
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
A feasibility study can be written as a report or by using a template, which will have the necessary
points that need addressing. For example, an IT feasibility study could include:
an executive summary
background information
budget
legal requirements
operational feasibility
timing
recommendations.
Researching and documenting the feasibility of each solution will be largely dependent upon the
methodology, framework, policies and procedures and area of IT being examined.
Examining the possible options for satisfying the client requirements would include listing the
alternatives and clearly outlining the criteria and any identified benchmarks. For example, if you
were looking at replacing the existing router, the criteria may include speed and performance
benchmarks as well as cost and ease of installation.
Documentation may include rationale to support viable options and to reject ones that are non-
viable. The factors should be the same for each option, for example constraints and limitations or
cost and benefits. This will determine the viability of each option.
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
For example:
Option 1: Comments
Description of Option:
Criteria:
Expected improvements
Technical viability
Costs
Cost/Benefit
Legal
Impacts
Potential Risks
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Overall Viability
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Activity: Read
Policy
Resources
Each option should be examined using the same criteria so that the recommendation is based on
equal measure. Mostly an organisation will look at costs versus benefits including:
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
Costs involved for implementation, maintenance and support
The constraints of a project can present significant risks to the success of a project. It is therefore
important to recognise what these are and evaluate the possible negative and or positive
outcomes. This can include financial, technical or environmental criteria for assessing strengths
and weaknesses of potential options or alternatives.
In relation to IT solutions it may include a SWOT analysis: a study of the Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). An understanding of a business’s strengths, weakness,
opportunities and threats assist businesses understand their capabilities, match them to factors
present in the international market to achieve competitive advantage.
Internal Environment
Strengths Weakness
External Environment
Opportunities Threats
SWOT analysis tool
Activity: Watch
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Activity: Group work – Feasible solutions
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Topic 3: Preparing the feasibility report
The final stage of producing a feasibility report is to bring all of the research and options together
into a formal document.
List criteria
The report as part of the initiation phase of a project aims to analyse and justify the project in terms
of:
technical feasibility
business viability
cost effectiveness.
It should provide a clearly structured and concise overview and analysis of whether or not the
project should go ahead and if so, which option would be the most viable.
The feasibility report provides formal documentation that summarises the results of analysis
undertaken and evaluations made to review the proposed solution and investigate the project
alternatives, for the purpose of determining if the project is actually feasible, cost effective and
beneficial or profitable in the long term.
In some cases, the feasibility report template is used by managers as a guideline to conduct the
study, providing the necessary guidance and structure required by organisational guidelines or
policy.
If a manager has been documenting the process from the beginning then this can also be used to
support writing the feasibility study.
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RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M
It may include:
minutes of meetings
scheduling
costings
any constraints, problems or issues arising over the course of the study
The client is not happy with the final product because of changes that should have been
incorporated.
The client has not provided the necessary feedback to ensure the project is on target for
successful completion to meet their requirements.
The project is non-compliant because approvals were not made at the appropriate and
relevant milestones of the project.
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Most importantly the project could fail if the client has not provided feedback and they may be in
their rights to refuse payments at the completion of the project.
The client can verify that they are happy to go ahead to the next stage.
The client can confirm they have read and understood what has been presented to them.
presented to the client in a meeting with Q&A and to brainstorm any issues.
distributed to be read and reviewed before meeting to discuss any changes or to provide
approval.
Documentation requirements
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the office and the theft of computers, damaged routers and desks has resulted in
disruption to the business continuity and a significant loss of data.
You have been approached by the Director of Hinterland Estates to come up with a
solution to these problems. He has estimated a budget of $5,500 and a timeframe of
three months. The business would like to explore the possibility of a cloud solution.
Prepare a feasibility report, based on the information that you have been given and
researched. Ensure that you include:
Project scope
A recommended scenario
Spreadsheet that can be used to identify, analyse and evaluate the budget, time
durations for the project and human resource allocation.
You can make any reasonable assumptions.
The report should be clearly structured, concise and professionally presented. It will
be presented via email to the client (the trainer/assessor) for feedback and approval
so include appropriate information in the email to introduce and summarise the
attached report when you submit it to your trainer/assessor.
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International College of Australia Pty Ltd T/A Western Sydney College
RTO: 45360 | CRICOS: 03690M