Core Systems Framework
2. Preview Business Decisions
Alternatives
Download Alternatives in Word format
Purpose of this tool:
The graphic below shows the various alternatives an agency can consider
as solutions for their core system proposal. Behind each alternative is
a list of rationales for choosing that specific alternative. The alternatives
and rationales are representative of those that are normally accepted
by the DIS MOST Consultants and by the ISB during past presentations.
Click on the boxes for any of the alternatives to view the rationales
for that alternative. Read the section below on "How to use this Tool"
for a fuller explanation of the tool's use.
Predecessor to this tool:
Decision Point 1 (Current System Assessment). The problem or opportunity justifies building the business case.
Intended audience:
Agency executives, IT managers, business managers, MOSTD consultants, and ISB Core Systems Sub-Committee.
Who fills this out?
Agency I.T. and Business Managers
How to use this tool:
The alternatives and rationales are guides to agencies and are not exhaustive or prescriptive.
The intent of the Alternatives tool is to help organize reasons for considering or not considering specific alternatives for a core system proposal. The agency owners would discuss the reasons with MOSTD staff and the ISB Core Systems Sub-Committee in the proposal review.
To use the tool, the agency team should download the document, review the all rationales, and check those that apply to their current system assessment. Alternatives that have some of the rationales under them checked are alternatives the agency team may want to consider in their proposal. The agency team can download the tool and update the Rationale description with text that describes their situation. If there are additional rationales not listed in the tool, the agency team can add rows to the applicable table and fill in information about the rationale.
A proposal may have components of more than one alternative. For example, a proposal may be to re-host and to modify a system. This tool can help agencies identify a specific alternative, a set of alternatives, or a combination of alternatives to consider in their proposal.
The project team should analyze each alternative considered in the proposal with the "Impact Analysis" tool. The Impact Analysis will help the team determine what actions and considerations they need to add in their project plan based on the chosen alternative(s).
Things to be mindful of:
- The alternatives and rationales are representative of those that are normally asked by the DIS MOST Consultants and by the ISB during past presentations.
- The alternatives and rationales are guides to agencies and are not exhaustive or prescriptive.
- Individual situations may call for other alternatives and/or rationale. If so, agencies should bring up these situations with their MOSTD representative so they can update the Alternatives tool.
Next Steps?
- Discuss elements from this "Alternatives" tool along with other completed predecessor tools, with your DIS MOSTD Consultant and prepare to discuss them with the ISB Core Systems Subcommittee.
- The next step of the process involves developing the Business Justification Outline.