ROI Criteria

In order to get the projects approved within an organization, you have to put things in a business perspective that other people can understand. Listed below are the basic categories that need to be address to get the "Go-ahead" for the project:

Categories	Detail
Required Investment	How much investment is required, including: Capital expenses Planning & deployment Development & ongoing management Support costs
Financial Benefits	What are the expected financial benefits of the project, measured according to established metrics like: ROI, Net present value saving Payback period
Strategic Advantage	What are the project's specific business benefits, such as: Operational savings Increased availability Increased corporate revenue Achievement of corporate goals
Organization Efficiency	How will the project improve the functional groups operation such as: Simplified management Reduce support costs Boosting security Increased productivity
Risk	What are the potential risks associated with the project. How likely will risks impact the following: Schedule Proposed spending Targeted benefits
Competitive Impact	How does the proposed project compare with competitors processes and spending plans
Accountability	How will we know when the project is a success? How will the success be measured ( metrics and timeframes)?
End of Life/ Renewal	When should a renewal time be established to insure that the project is doing what it should be after a given time period? What metrics will be used to judge the project over that time period?

Source: Tom Pisello, President & CEO, Alinean