The knee-jerk response to prioritizing requirements is to mark everything as a must-have . “I need everything before the product becomes generally available. I want it ALL!” Give me a break.

Granted, if a requirement is written in the SRS, then it must be because you want it. But the reality is some features are more important than others and a good product manager can tell them apart.

If everything is high priority, then there are no priorities. Let me repeat that statement once more. If everything is high priority, then there are no priorities.

Unless this is your very first software project, you know that time is always a constraint. Combine an overly optimistic project schedule with a list of requirements that aren’t prioritized, and what do you get? A team of developers that implement what they want, when they want.

You have a choice. You can (a) leave it up to the development team to pick and choose their favorite features to implement, or (b) give them a clear sense of direction by prioritizing the requirements. Have them start with the must-haves, followed by the nice-to-haves. When the project deadline comes up, you can decide to extend the project schedule to add a few more nice-to-haves, but you won’t be forced to because your product will already include all of the must-have requirements that would make or break your sales. In other words, you’re managing the schedule instead of letting the schedule manage you.

Wondering how to best prioritize requirements? Check out First Things First in The Project Mangler’s archives.

Luc Richard is professional speaker and author with over 10 years of experience managing the development of software applications. He can be reached via The Project Mangler (http://www.projectmangler.com).

HERE ARE SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

You may think it’s too late to do something about it, but I assure you if you seriously think about your options before making any decisions you may find yourself in a whole lot better situation.

●Are you trying to stop foreclosure for a property that is going to be foreclosed soon?

● How far in arrears are the payments?

● Is there a foreclosure sale date scheduled?

● When is the foreclosure sale date?

● Have you considered refinancing and negotiating with your lender?

● Have you searched online for information on how to “Stop foreclosure”?

● Have you visited any websites that specialize in helping you to Stop Foreclosure, like: http://www.soldin2days.com/

● How much time do you have to sell the house before foreclosure?

● If you have a lot of time, have you considered selling it using a realtor?

● If you don’t have much time left, have you contacted any investors like: http://www.soldin2days.com/

● If you already contacted investors have you asked them to make an offer on your property? If not get to it now.

● If they have cash and they can buy it quickly, but you won’t receive all of your equity, are you still open for discussion?

● Do you even care about having a foreclosure on your record for the next ten years?

● Have any investors spoke with you about taking over your payments, and if so is this an option?

● If you don’t have much equity, are you open to Lease/Optioning the property to an investor?

● Are hard money, private lenders, an option? If so have you contacted any?

● Do you realize you will be paying higher rates for private money?

● Have you tried to negotiate your payment options with your lender, to stop foreclosure?

● At this point you may need more time to sell the property. If this is the case have you asked your lender for more time? If so, was your lender cooperative?

● If the house is listed with a realtor did you inform your lender?

● Is your lender interested in working with you on this, or are they more interested in foreclosing?

Feel free to talk over these questions and any others you may have with investors and ask them if they have any solutions for you. Be sure to ask them if they willing to buy the property. You never know you just may have a quicker solution than you expected.

And don’t forget, you must move quickly in the foreclosure process. If you wait too long, you will have fewer options available and it may be too late to stop foreclosure. Don’t wait, do something NOW.

About the Author

Joe Loiacano is the owner and president of The Landmark Investment Group. Whether you want to stay or sell your property Joe Loiacano and the Landmark Investment Group are here to assist you. To stop foreclosure and for a free consultation visit ==>www.Soldin2Days.com

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