Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management

9.2. The Feasibility Analyst

"What about the feasibility analyst?" I asked Martha. "My boss, the person who started this whole WindSailor thing, volunteered to play that role. Although he used a slightly different name, I'm sure it's the same thing."

"What do you think your boss will be doing on this assignment?" Martha asked.

I thought back to what Stu told the board yesterday. "He'll be advising the sponsor on the viability of the assignment as we go along."

"That is exactly what a feasibility analyst does. He provides the sponsor with an objective assessment, usually from a financial perspective."

"Why not have the project manager do this?" I asked. "He's right in on the action."

"How objective do you think the project manager is likely to be after the assignment begins?" Martha asked.

Good point, I thought. I'd probably stop wondering whether the assignment was a good idea and narrow my focus to thinking a lot more about how to accomplish it.

Martha didn't wait forme to answer. "As I said before, on a smaller assignment, this might not be a separate person. But on something the size of your assignment, an objective feasibility analyst is an asset."