3.4 How to Determine If it is Going to Work

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Having a sixth sense about such things would be great, but prescience is in short supply in this world. On the plus side, you can and must take a couple of steps to ensure that the technologists have a sound game plan. These steps are listed in Exhibit 5.

Exhibit 5: Vetting the Technology Plan

List target state elements.
Map proposed technologies to each target state element.
Familiarize yourself with proposed technologies.
Review validation plan.
Review risk and establish Plan Bs as required.
Review potential integration issues and mitigate as required.
Plan postimplementation support requirements.
Review with customer and beneficiary.
Submit to technology review board if required.
Commence validation process; review and adjust as necessary.

3.4.1 Listing Target State Elements

As the design emerges from scope analysis and the requirements definition processes, you must generate and maintain a target state document. It should list each major deliverable and, at least, the key requirements of each deliverable. You should not get too detailed; I prefer simplicity. Your target state chart is not intended to replace in-depth design documentation, but should be similar to a project billboard you use to keep people focused on the main goals. Take a moment to review Exhibit 6, which is a diluted version of one we created for a project during which we installed many technologies in a new building before moving in thousands of users.

Exhibit 6: Sample Target State Chart

Deliverable	Description/Functionality
Telephony	IP Telephone
Applications	Desktop build v. 2.9, both "fat" and "thin"
Home and shared directories	Storage area network (SAN)
Application backup/archive	Daily backup of SAN using robotic tape unit
Disaster recovery	Data replicated to off-site SAN
LAN printing	IP-based, multiple LAN printers per floor
Video conferencing	IP-based, to the desktop
Mainframe printing	Print jobs rerouted to IP-LAN printers
Mainframe access	Client emulation via off-site gateways
Wireless LAN	Available Day Two^[a]
^[a]Day Two designates any deliverable that may be delayed.

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