Project Analysis Worksheet Instructions A. General Information Basic information that identifies the project.

. Project Title The proper name used to identify this project. Project Working Title The working name or acronym used to identify the project. If an acronym is used, define the specific meaning of each letter. Proponent Secretary The Secretary to whom the proponent agency is assigned or the Secretary that is sponsoring a particular enterprise project. Proponent Agency The agency that will be responsible for the management of the project. Prepared by The person(s) preparing this document. Date Prepared The date this document is initially prepared. B. Project Purpose The purpose of a project is to solve a business problem. Explain the business reason(s) for doing this project. In this section, describe the business problem, business impacts, business objectives, and the constraints associated with the proposed project. 1. Business Problem A question, issue, or situation, pertaining to the business, which needs to be answered or resolved. State in specific terms what problem or issue this project addresses. Often the business problem is reflected as a critical business issue or initiative in the Agencys Strategic Plan or Information Technology Strategic Plan. 2. Project Business Objectives A desired result produced by a project that answers or resolves the business problem. Define the specific business objectives of the project that correlate to the strategic initiatives or issues identified in the Commonwealth or Agencys Strategic Plan. Every business objective must relate to at least one strategic initiative or issue and every initiative or issue cited must relate to one project business objective. The project charter communicates this information to ensure that all stakeholders understand the relationship of the project to the Strategic Plans of the organization. During the planning phase, the objectives serve as a foundation for development of project performance measures known as measures of success. 3. Core Business Activity Impacted Core Business Activities are agency defined cross-functional processes that produce the agency's primary products and services, or support their production. List the Core Business Activities impacted by the project and identify the impact. 4. Constraints Constraints are items that by their nature restrict choice. Identify constraints that will influence the selection of a solution to resolve the business problem. Constraints can include but are not limited to: time, funding, personnel, facilities, and, management limitations.

Project Analysis Worksheet Instructions C. Preliminary Project Description - A preliminary description of the project approach. The approach is the overall strategy for solving the business problem. The Preliminary Project Description is derived from the Project Description Statement and Section B, Project Purpose. This description establishes the framework for identification of potential solutions. This section does not describe a specific solution. Solutions are identified, analyzed, compared, and selected in subsequent parts of this document. Expand the size of the box provided if needed. D. Solution(s) Analysis Part I Describe each potentially viable solution, and evaluate the solution against the decision criteria. Duplicate the Evaluation Process (D.1 thru D.2.e and including the question after 2.e) for each solution being considered. Provide a Solution Identifier for each solution (ie: A, B, or 1, 2...) and a brief title in Short Solution Title to easily identify each solution. 1. Description of Solution In the box provide a brief description of the solution being considered. The description should include enough detail to provide a clear understanding of what the solution will do and differentiate it from the other solutions being considered. Also, describe how this solution will resolve the business problem defined in Section B. 2. Decision Criteria - The decision criteria below are recommended for evaluation of each potential solution. Additional criteria may be added when needed. It is essential that all solutions be evaluated against the same set of criteria. a) Business Process Impact Describe how the potential solution will impact the current business processes and what degree of organizational change and stakeholder resistance is anticipated. b) Technical Feasibility - Describe any special considerations such as technical experience required for project team members. Also, describe the level of technical complexity associated with the solution. c) Maturity of Solution - Describe the level of technical maturity for the potential solution. The description should address how technically proven the potential solution is, for example: Is the solution a recent innovation? Has it fully matured? Is it nearing obsolescence? Are service and expertise readily available to support the potential technical solution? d) Resources Estimate Estimate all the resources required to implement the solution. Resources include personnel, facilities, customer support, equipment, and any other resources needed to implement the solution. e) Constraints Impact Describe how well the solution fits within the identified constraints in Section B. Specifically address any time or schedule constraints. Answer YES or NO to the question: Based upon decision criteria 2.a-2.e, is the potential solution a viable solution? If YES, continue to Section E (Solution Analysis Part II). If NO, discard solution. E. Solution(s) Analysis Part II ONLY if a potential solution remains viable after analysis of the criteria in D.2.ae above, perform a Cost Benefit Analysis for the solution and calculate Return on Investment. Section 2, Project Initiation, of the Commonwealth Project Management Guideline provides additional detail on Cost Benefit Analysis and Return on Investment. Duplicate the Solution(s) Analysis Part II (E.1 thru E.2) for each viable solution. Remember to enter in the unique Solution Identifier and brief title in Short Solution Title for each solution.

Project Analysis Worksheet Instructions 1. Cost Benefit Analysis Summary Present a summary of Cost Benefit Analysis for this solution. See Project Initiation (Section 2) of the Project Management Guideline for instructions on Cost Benefit Analysis. 2. Return on Investment (ROI) Summary Present a summary of the estimated value of the solution in terms of an investment. There are several ways to calculate Return on Investment (ROI) any are acceptable but the same method must be used for all solutions analyzed. See Project Initiation (Section 2) of the Project Management Guideline provides instructions on Return on Investment Calculations. F. Comparison of Solutions Enter the unique Solution Identifier in boxes that are shaded. Based on the analysis performed, rate how each solution measured up against the decision criteria used for the analysis. A recommended rating scale is: 1 = Very Poor, 2 = Poor, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Very Good. If a decision criterion is more important than others, weights may be assigned to each criterion to reflect the level of importance. Once the ratings for all the solutions are complete, compare and contrast the analysis and ratings for each of the solutions to the others. Identify the solution that best satisfies the previously reviewed criteria. Summarize the results and identify the solution that best satisfies the decision criteria. Many methods may be used, but the weighted matrix evaluation table is recommended. See Project Initiation (Section 2) of the Project Management Guideline to provide additional detail on comparing solutions using the weighted matrix evaluation table. Preliminary Recommendation Describe the recommended solution and provide a summary of the rationale for selecting it. 1. Recommended Solution Specify the solution selected based on the analysis. Use the description previously provided in Section D of this document. Enter in the unique Solution Identifier and Title of the recommended solution in the appropriate areas. 2. Recommended Solution Justification Explain how and why the solution was chosen over the other solutions considered. Decision - Document the decision of the project sponsors or designated agency manager regarding the recommended solution. If the solution is accepted, a project proposal is developed.

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