ASSUMPTIONS CHECKLIST

1. The "Assumptions Checklist" will help you determine whether you and the client agree enough about the basic assumptions underlying the project to continue with it into the design phase of the project.

2. You should feel free to modify or expand the checklist as needed in your specific situation.

Step 1: Meet with the client (or talk by phone) and determine:

• Are the goals and objectives still on target?
• Is the audience still the same?
• Is the content still the same? (Review each proposed element.)
• Are the plans for marketing the product (or implementing the program, or whatever) still the same? What has changed?
• Has the amount of money, resources, and/or time available for the development effort changed?
• Does the client still support the development effort to the extent needed to provide necessary SMEs, documentation, and equipment?
• Are implementation plans still the same? (personnel, dates, locations, etc.?)

Step 2: Review your estimates of project scope, including:

• Materials required
• Time needed
• Project costs

If you have been newly assigned to manage the project, have inherited a vague project plan, and there are no detailed records of planned materials, time, or costs, then you should create them at this point.

Step 3: If necessary, rethink the project goals:

If serious questions about project scope or other assumptions arise, don't hesitate to raise a red flag. It is better to rethink the multimedia development project now than to have to cancel it later, after wasting valuable time and resources.

Step 4: If necessary, reestimate project scope.

Based on the results of the preceding steps, you may have to create new estimates of project scope (deliverables, time, costs). You'll need these to be accurate and up-to-date.

The result of using this checklist should be with detailed, approved time line, budget, and project plan that justifies continued expenditures of time, money, and resources toward completing the multimedia design effort.