Abstract
In this chapter, we examine the relevance of using a feasibility study as a key component of life cycle management that may be used when embarking on an IDCM project. The feasibility study may be used to conduct a preliminary investigation of requirements and to determine the operational, technical, and financial feasibility of an IDCM project. As noted in the preface, we observed that many DMS projects, promoted and initiated by proponents of document management, are not developed to reach desired outcomes. Instead, there are results, such as the cancellation of a project midway through its life cycle, or project delays and misadventure due to nonalignment with business objectives, lack of project ownership and executive management resolve, or inability to implement effective change management. Therefore, enterprises should consider the feasibility study as an essential component of the IS life cycle for an IDCM project. If an enterprise adopts the “rule of thumb” philosophy that a project is 80% planning and 20% implementation, then the feasibility study is a core component of that planning. If an enterprise does not get the preliminary planning and definition correct during the feasibility study, then it is unlikely to get it right at all.