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Subject: IT Budgeting - Communication
Tutorial: Get Your IT Project Funded - 5 Steps to Improve the Odds
Step 5. Write the justification
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Subject: IT Budgeting - Communication
Tutorial: Get Your IT Project Funded - 5 Steps to Improve the Odds
By the time you reach this step, you have:
- determined what you need to say
- produced an outline of the major and supporting points
- assembled all the information that will be included
The task before you now is to write the document. Here are some tips that will ease the burden, and improve the effectiveness of your writing:
Document
Stick to your outline, and:
- Try not to exceed two pages in total
- Keep individual sections to no more than two paragraphs; or, one paragraph and a table
- Use short section headings
- Don’t write a paragraph when a few bullet points will convey the same information
Language
Keep it simple, clear, and to the point (when it comes to dealing with senior decision-makers, more is not always better):
- Be direct and unequivocal (don’t say "sometime during the fourth quarter"; instead, say "in October 1998")
- Quantify wherever possible (don’t say "we will deploy NT workstations"; say "2,000 workstations will be deployed throughout our North American offices")
- Be specific (don’t say "this project is important"; instead, say "the outcome of this project will enable [whomever] to achieve its [FY ‘98 revenue improvement target] of [the amount]"
Justification Review
Before you submit the document; read it from start to finish, and check the math!
Get Your IT Project Funded - 5 Steps To Improve The Odds, Lesson 10 of 10
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