October 2005
Introduction

Project Planning, Preparation, & Requirements

Components critical to the success of a directory services project include educating oneself and the stakeholders, securing support from campus leadership, developing a strong business case, and planning the stages of the project up front.

To plan the project budget, management and directory analysis staff will need to work together to ballpark the infrastructure and initiative needs. This requires that the directory analysis phase be done somewhat concurrently with the project planning.
   
 
Policy / Management
 
• Educate yourself and organization on need for middleware
• Assemble drivers for campus
• Assess strengths, weaknesses, and critical success factors
• Develop business case
• Secure support
• Decide on implementation strategy, timing, and organizational approach
• Develop communications and promotion plan
• Discuss with stakeholders when appropriate
• Develop project specifics
• Decide on funding model and secure funding
• Develop technical, policy, executive and organizational project structure
• Begin communication plan