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.