Data Reenginering Case Study

Project Decision Analysis Context: Possible Decision Outcomes

by Bill Girling

Fundamental Objectives

Hierarchy Chart I

Means Objectives

Influence Diagram

It is evident that the project is a very complex and many different types of decisions with varying values will be required.

• Several of the major decision issues revealed by the Influence Diagram are:
• Should the Commonwealth become the system integrator?
• Is there sufficient qualified staff support ?
• Will the operations center be ready?
• Should the Commonwealth stop the project?
• Should the project be deployed through a functional or organizational approach?

In order to determine the consequences or outcomes by which to evaluate the decision, an additional step was taken in order to examine all the fundamental and means objectives that were identified. All the objectives developed earlier were re-examined after the project 's alternative solutions were reviewed. This was particularly insightful, since there were challenges to such base assumptions such as:

• the ability of Commonwealth employees to staff and manage key elements of the project,
• the opportunity to stagger the purchase of software and hardware,
• the opportunity to electronically link legacy technology to new technology.

After developing a different perspective on possible alternatives, a measurement metric and "success" or quality standard was created for each of the subordinate (means) objectives,. For example, the question about operations center readiness is measured by availability of specific equipment. The quality standard is determined by specific pre-determined performance standard. The objective of this exercise was to determine if events were "uncertain" or were essentially under the control of CoV personnel. For example, there appears to be a chance that proposed software may or may not meet the Commonwealth's functional requirements. However, this is not a chance event (as determined initially) and the project would not have been funded if preliminary analysis had not revealed the availability of the required software. On the other hand, whether or not the cost of software will exceed the proposed budget, is definitely a chance event.

A revised objective hierarchy was developed (see below), and the major criteria were established and prioritized.

C. Objectives Analysis

As a result of the preceding analysis, the following criteria, measurements and minimum satisfaction level were developed. These criteria were determined to be the essential elements that play the greatest role in the decision to proceed with or stop the project.

D. Objectives Measurement

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