10.4 Project Objectives

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This is an important step to success. Defining the objectives is probably the single most important factor that can mitigate risk and ensure success. This definition can only come when the root cause of the problem is identified. The best approach to defining project objectives is to go back into the trenches and have the user community identify subject-matter experts (SMEs) and empower them to outline what the project objectives should achieve. Once these objectives are identified, the process of ensuring that each objective fits a business need is started. For every stated objective, there should be a direct tie to satisfaction of a legitimate business need. If that cannot be done, the objective should be brought up to the team as a questionable necessity and discussed. For all those objectives that are directly tied to business need, the process will continue into the requirements analysis phase. The key points to remember about objectives are that they need to be clearly articulated by the folks who are closest to the source of problems, and they need to be tied directly to a legitimate business need.

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