Analyze Benefits and Costs

Following conceptual system design, you need to work out the best way to implement the system you have designed. This is where you plan how the system will be taken from the planning stage to actual implementation. You may also need to conduct a benefit-cost analysis to make your business case for the system.

Until now, the focus of the planning methodology has been on what you need to put in place to meet your requirements. The focus at this stage switches to how to put the system in place—an acquisition plan. Issues such as institutional interactions, legal matters, existing legacy hardware and software, security, staffing, and training are addressed at this stage.

The acquisition plan that results from this stage of the planning process will contain your implementation strategy and benefit-cost analysis. This plan can be used both to secure funding for your system and as a guide for the actual implementation of the system.