WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

From past projects, here is a list of things that can go wrong:
• The software package is selected before the new process is even defined.
This will likely be very expensive because there are so many unknowns.
The effort to define a new process and proceed with the steps in this chapter
may stretch out the time but only entail labor effort. These steps greatly
reduce the risk.
• Parties overpromise what they can deliver. IT may promise to do develop-
ment but lack resources. Business departments may indicate that they will
pour resources into the project. Vendors may indicate that their software
will meet almost all needs without modification. Part of this stems from
people’s optimism. Don’t accept any of this. Reserve judgment until later.
• Management often attempts to pin down these cost and schedule estimates
as the final ones. This is impossible without further analysis. The estimates
are necessary to make a decision. Head this one off by stating repeatedly
that the estimates will be revised.