4920 PURPOSE
(Revised 09/02)
The feasibility study represents the first opportunity for agency management to assess the full implications of a proposed information technology project. The feasibility study is also the means of linking a specific information technology project to the agency's strategic business plans and information technology plans, and to ensure that the proposed project makes the best use of the agency's information technology infrastructure. The purposes of the feasibility study are to:
- Determine whether there is a business case for a proposed project, i.e., whether the expenditure of public resources on the project is justified in terms of the project's:
- Being responsive to a clearly-defined, program-related problem or opportunity;
- Being the best of the possible alternatives;
- Being within the technical and managerial capabilities of the agency; and
- Having benefits over the life of the application that exceed development and operations costs. Project benefits typically include reduced program costs, avoidance of future program cost increases, increased program revenues, or provision of program services that can be provided only through the use of information technology.
- Provide a means for achieving agreement between agency executive management, program management, and project management as to:
- The nature, benefits, schedule, and costs of a proposed project; and
- Their respective management responsibilities over the course of the project.
- Provide executive branch control agencies and the Legislature with sufficient information to assess the merits of the proposed project and determine the nature and extent of project oversight requirements.
