Selecting the Best Alternative Design Strategy

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Selecting the Best Alternative Design Strategy

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Design Strategy

• Capability Alternatives -- what will the system
  do?
• Architecture and Infrastructure Alternatives -
  hardware, software, networks
• Acquisition Alternatives - build or buy?

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Architecture

• Architecture -- mainframe, client/server,
  netcentric
• Infrastructure -- applications, database engine,
  operating systems, network, servers, clients, etc.

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Capability

• Minimal System -- just enough to operate
• Mid-level System -- features that seem
  cost/effective
• Ultimate System -- all possible features

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Sourcing IS Work

• Do or Build with your staff
• Contract ( part or all) with 3rd party
• Purchase Application
• Purchase Enterprise Solution
• Contract IS operations and/or development
• Contract to Value Added Utility

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Purchased Software

• Operating Systems and Utilities
• Database Management Systems
• Smaller Application Packages
• Enterprise Solutions Software
• Custom Development

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Selecting ONE Alternative

• Performance-oriented Design
• Cost/benefit analysis
• Risk / culture / political fit
• Skills and training fit
• Revising the Baseline Plan

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Feasibility TELOSS

• Technical how can we do it?
• Economic is it cost justifiable?
• Legal are there legal issues?
• Operational does this fit the way we want to do
  business?
• Schedule can we get it done on time?
• Security what are the risks?

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Costs and Benefits

• Costs are easier to identify than benefits
• Include intangible and tangible costs
• Business benefits include reduced costs and
  increased revenue
• Include competitive positioning
• Consider business focus low cost,
  differentiation, focus

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Costs and Benefits (cont.)

• Differentiate ongoing from one-time costs
• Separate development cost from operating cost.
• Costs and benefits should be detailed for each
  alternative.
• There should be a separate summary table to
  compare alternatives.

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Recommendation

• Choose the best option or options. Consider
  business as well as technical arguments.
• You may leave some options or a choice between
  equivalent systems
• Provide a statement of work
• Do make a recommendation and support it.