The purposes of the study include setting objectives, defining rough requirements, and establishing and evaluating solution options so that the decision on next steps can be made and documented in the study.

A project must be in line with the specifications (strategy and objectives) of the core organization. It must take account of the framework conditions, and its economic efficiency must be ensured.

The study is fleshed out to such an extent that planning accuracy for deadlines, costs, and effort is achieved that is appropriate for the time of the project. It must be possible to assess the risks and economic efficiency comprehensively.

In a first step, the status report and the development of possible objectives based on the status report are used to check whether a (new) solution is needed at all and accordingly whether a continuation of the project appears necessary. As the study is fleshed out further, including all accompanying outcomes, it is checked on an ongoing basis whether it makes sense to continue the project. If this is not the case, the initiation phase and the project are concluded.

The findings from the legal basis analysis and the protection needs analysis are adopted.

The set objectives and requirements form the basis for developing different options. The objectives are finalized. The requirements are described in such a way that the project content and project scope are clear and the evaluation criteria can be defined. The requirements are fleshed out as the project progresses further.

The options are described in the study on the basis of the objectives and requirements. Typical options include customized development on the one hand and the procurement of a solution available on the market on the other.

Any findings (e.g. from the market environment) arising from the procurement analysis, which must be prepared in parallel with the study, are used to develop options involving procurement. The options are described in sufficient detail for them to be evaluated. The evaluation criteria are defined for evaluating the options. These include the degree of objective achievement, coverage of requirements, and other evaluation criteria such as compliance with the requirements, feasibility, risks, and benefits. Depending on the option, the approach - traditional or agile - is defined.

The evaluation is comprehensibly documented and shows the current state of knowledge when the decision is made.

Before planning and scheduling, the suitable scenario for the development procedure (see Section 2 Scenarios) is selected and adapted as required.

1. Project initiation release milestone
2. Project initiation order
3. Stakeholder list

1. Prepare the status report and record it in the study.
2. Develop solution objectives and requirements, coordinate them with stakeholders, adjust the stakeholder list, and include them in the study.
3. Identify conflicts of interest and resolve them with the project sponsor.
4. Integrate market surveys and information from the procurement analysis into the study.
5. Integrate the findings from the legal basis analysis and the protection needs analysis into the study.
6. Describe solution options individually.
7. Determine evaluation criteria and their weighting.
8. Evaluate solution options based on the evaluation criteria.
9. Select a suitable scenario, customize it further as needed, determine the project value, and define the approach ( traditional / agile ).
10. Assess the impact of the decision on next steps on the project.
11. Roughly plan project and deadlines, define rough cornerstones (milestones)
12. Complete the study.
13. Coordinate the study with the project sponsor and stakeholders, including the controlling and compliance bodies.

1. Study
2. Stakeholder list