Defining the Right Project

The most important question to ask when developing a system is not a methodological question. It is not a technical question. It is a seemingly simple, yet remarkably difficult question: “Is this the right system to make?” Unfortunately, this question is often never asked nor answered. Although misguided methodology or technically tough problems can cause projects to fail, sufficient resources and heroic effort by talented people often can save them. But nothing can save a system that is not needed or that automates the wrong thing.

Before starting a project, there must be an idea for it. The process of coming up with an idea for a system along with a general idea of its requirements and form occurs during the Inception ...

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