Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Project Information

PROJECT NUMBER PROJECT NAME

Project Purpose
Project Sponsor Sponsoring Dept.
Project Manager Performing Dept.

Project Constraints

Constraint Type Constraint Example Y/N? Constraint Identified

Resources Are there constraints on the availability of
resources?
Is the number of resources constrained?
Is training available when needed?
Other resource constraints
Cost Does the project have a fixed price?
Are there funding availability constraints?
Are there external spending constraints
(consultants, training, travel, etc)?
Is there a budget limit on the project?
Other cost constraints
Schedule Does the project have a fixed delivery date?
Are there milestone constraints that must be
met?
Are there project delivery dates dictated by
regulatory dates?
Does the business have peak times that should
be avoided for implementation?
Other schedule constraints

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 Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Constraint Type Constraint Example Y/N? Constraint Identified

Current State Is there a date by which the stability of the
current application will be degraded?
Will support by one or more software vendors
stop after a certain date?
Will existing product releases impact delivery
dates during the project?
Other current state constraints
Quality/ Are there quality standards that must be met
Performance by the project?
Are there minimum defect levels that must be
met before deployment?
Are there performance requirements that must
be met?
Other quality/performance constraints
Technology Are there constraints on the technology
Infrastructure (programming languages, DBMS, architecture,
etc) to be used on the project?
Are there infrastructure capability constraints
that must be considered?
Are there infrastructure downtimes
(preventative maintenance) that will impact the
project?
Other technology/infrastructure constraints
Physical Are there multiple locations for deployment?
Environment Does the software or any project
communications have to be multi-lingual?
Are there facility restrictions that will impact the
project?
Other physical environment constraints

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 Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Constraint Type Constraint Example Y/N? Constraint Identified

Interfaces Are there constraints on inputs from other
projects or systems?
Are there constraints on outputs to other
projects or systems?
Is there an interface naming standard that must
be adhered to?
Is the interface technology new or obsolete?
Are there constraints on interface testing
(timing, availability)?
Other interface constraints
Procurement Are there preferred vendors for the
project/organization?
Has the buy/build decision already been
made?
Are there vendor delivery dates that impact the
project?
Is the procured product available?
Are there constraints on product training dates
or locations?
Other procurement constraints
Process/Methods Are there specific techniques that must be
used on the project?
Are there specific methods that must be
applied on the project?
Are there required development deliverables
that must be produced?
Are there required project management
deliverables that must be produced?
Are there approval constraints that must be
adhered to?
Other process/method constraints

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 Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Project Assumptions

Assumption Type Assumption Example Y/N? Assumption Identified

Resources Have required full-time/part-time resource
commitments been made?
Has resource availability (hrs/day) been
considered?
Do resources have the required skills and/or
training?
Is resource training available?
Other resource assumptions
Cost Is the assumed funding available?
Will approvals for expenditures be obtained
when needed?
Are cost contingency funds available?
Other cost assumptions
Schedule Have vacations & holidays been considered in
the project schedule?
Are the working hours defined?
Does schedule contingency exist?
Has time been allowed for learning curves?

Current State Is there an enhancement freeze on the

current application?
Is the current data convertible?
Have historical data conversion been
considered?
Are there existing product release
assumptions?
Other current state assumptions

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 Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Assumption Type Assumption Example Y/N? Assumption Identified

Quality/ Are performance requirements known and
Performance documented?
Are quality requirements known and
documented?
Other quality/performance assumptions
Technology Is the technical infrastructure available?
Infrastructure Is the technical infrastructure stable?
Is the technical infrastructure scalable?
Other technology/infrastructure assumptions
Physical Are the development facilities in place?
Environment Will the production facilities be ready when
needed?
Will multi-site deployment be location by
location (versus ‘big-bang’)?
Other physical environment assumptions
Interfaces Will input interfaces be ready when required?
Are interface timings known? Changing?
Are interface frequencies known? Changing?
Other interface assumptions

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 Constraints & Assumptions Checklist

Assumption Type Assumption Example Y/N? Assumption Identified

Procurement Have procurement lead times been
considered?
Is there a change management process to be
followed during procurement?
Are procurement agreements in place?
Is the procurement approval process
known/documented?
Other procurement assumptions
Process/Methods Has the approval turnaround time on
deliverables been agreed to?
Does the project require approval by a
specific date for project milestones to be met?
Is there a required set of deliverables to be
produced on the project?
Has access to information been provided?
Other process/methods assumptions

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