4.1 Introduction

Traditional feasibility studies or information system justifications tended to be one-dimensional statements focusing on financial estimates. This approach was always seen as a limitation but it was often felt that it was too difficult, would take too long and be too complicated to present a more rounded evaluation of the information systems investment proposal. Today at the heart of the comprehensive IT business case is the understanding that financial numbers alone are not good enough for making information systems investment decisions and that a more holistic approach is much more appropriate.

Thus when using the comprehensive approach to producing an IT business case it is necessary to consider multiple views - a view of the investment outcomes (including financial cost and benefits estimates), a view of the degree of strategic alignment inherent in the investment, a view of the stakeholders, a view of the technology to be employed and a view of the project and system risks involved. Looking again at the overview of the IT business case (Figure 4.1) it can be seen that the risks are at the centre of the project.

Figure...