ICTC/Due Diligence

Due Diligence
- Randy Fisher 00:55, 14 November 2012 (UTC)

Project Definition / Scope

 * What is the problem / gap / issues that need to be addressed?
 * What background / supporting info do we have, or have access to?


 * How does this project fit into the client-organization's strategic / business plan?
 * Is the strategic / business plan available?


 * What are the Project Objectives?
 * Are they well-understood, and agreed-upon by Decision-Maker / Champion?
 * Is there a paper trail? How have they been documented?


 * Who are the stakeholders / partners?
 * What are their objectives?
 * What is their timeline for change, results (i.e., project delivery & payment)
 * What is their sense of urgency - do they want to do this right away; are they open to it taking 6-12 months? Why?


 * What (approaches, interventions) have been tried before?
 * What were the results?
 * Who was involved - and where are they now?


 * Who, and what, are possible areas of resistance to change or transition -- to a new system / approach or way of operating?
 * Who is responsible for this project? Who will the contractor report to?
 * How will success be measured?
 * When is the start / finish the project? (are dates set or flexible)?

Alignment to our Mission, Resources & Capacity

 * Is this project about digital literacy, ICT skills development, knowledge creation and capacity support?
 * Do we have the internal HR, skills and resources to deliver? Or, do we have to engage partners and contractors?
 * What is required to inform / train our people (i.e., internal, external) to provide high quality support to this project?
 * Can this be allocated to short-term (1-6 months), medium-term (7-24 months) and long-term (2+ years) interventions to develop these resources, provide support? (Are these the appropriate time frames?)


 * What is the administrative burden to deliver this project? Rate 1-10, where 10 is very high.
 * What is our role: Are we acting as thought leader; facilitator / connector or project manager / delivery?
 * What's in it for us?

History & Relationship with Decision-Maker and/or Champion

 * Who has the power to make decisions? On what basis?
 * Who is the signing authority? What are the budget thresholds? What contract amounts is the person able to sign for, before getting higher-stage approval? For sole-source contracting or competitive contracting?
 * What happens when s/he exceeds a particular level? Does the Board of Directors get involved? What's the process - and how long does it typically take?


 * Who has influence with the decision-maker?
 * within the organization
 * connected to the organization
 * education, economic development, community / municipal government, politicians, NGOs, associations

Budgeting & Funding Sources

 * Who is funding this project?
 * Where are the funds coming from? Funding envelope, program fund, individual stakeholders, etc.


 * Is there an overall budget available?
 * How much money is allocated for this project?
 * Over what time frame?

Has Terms of Reference (TORs) / RFP been issued?

 * Are Project Objectives well-understood, and agreed-upon by Decision-Maker / Champion? (See Project Definition / Scope)
 * Have we been asked to submit a proposal?
 * Do we have to do so right away - can we create documentation with the client-organization to gather more information and align ourselves and capabilities with the stakeholder and project requirements?
 * What is the time frame for submission


 * Sole-source or competitive bid?
 * What is the time-frame for submission?

Resources & Capacity

 * Who is on our team?
 * Who on our team is expected to write the proposal?


 * Who on our team will be delivering, and executing the milestones?
 * Do we have the resources and capacity to deliver?
 * Are these internal, external, or blended?
 * Contract, term or partner?
 * Where are the gaps?


 * What support is required to coach / train internal or team staff?

Monetization, Visibility & Leverage

 * What is our role: Thought leader; facilitator / connector or project manager / delivery?
 * How are we compensated? What's in it for us?
 * Is this a One-Off opportunity, or is there potential for Repeat or Future Business?
 * Is the project design, delivery and results scalable?


 * Who owns the IP?
 * What arrangements are possible with the client-organization for current and future project delivery; consulting and spinoff opportunities (i.e.,joint-ventures, licensing, etc.)
 * Who do we have to speak / liaise with, for this to happen


 * Communications / PR / Marketing
 * When can we share contract signing, results?
 * Are there any restrictions? Who? Why?
 * What, if any, is the process for communications / PR?
 * Who will market the program / service, and upon what basis (i.e., financial, non-financial)

Appendices & Resources

 * Credenda Opportunity, SK