Analyze Feasibility of Next Most Desired Option

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In the unfortunate case where the most desirable option is not feasible, it becomes necessary to evaluate the feasibility of the next most desirable option. This process continues until a desirable and feasible option is chosen.

There is an alternative if the most desirable option is a potentially valid solution to the customer's problem but violates scope, budget, or schedule constraints by a reasonably small amount (judgement call). The feasibility study report can suggest such an option with the condition that the violated constraint(s) be relaxed somewhat to accommodate the option.

If the customer has hard constraints and does not accept the suggestion with such conditions attached, then the feasibility of the next most desired option should be assessed in the same fashion as was done with the most desired option. The bottom line is that the chosen option be acceptable to the customer even if it is not the optimal solution from a purely technical perspective.

Consider the following example. If you are asked to provide a pickup truck type of vehicle for $15,000 so that the customer can haul a motorcycle, don't assume the customer will be satisfied with a large dump truck and an associated cost increase of $30,000 (assuming the dump truck could be provided for $45,000). Just because both can haul loads, doesn't mean they are valid solutions to the same problem. The customer wants to haul a motorcycle. The dump truck may technically be a far more capable hauler than the pickup truck, but it is a totally impractical solution for the actual problem the customer wants to solve. This is a contrived example, but if your most desired option is clearly invalid like the dump truck in this example, do not try to suggest it to the customer (especially couching it as a small scope increase). A clearly invalid option, desirable or not, is not feasible and should not be recommended. In such a case, move on to the next most desirable option.

No part of this work should be produced or used without the permission of the authors: Michael Turner and Dr. Sharon A White.