Quick review and plan stage

Quick Review
Ok. For a quick review:

• You know that you want to keep a set of data on each of your customers.
• You have a list of the data that we want to capture:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • Job Title
  • Company
  • Phone #
  • Notes
• You know that we might expand some of this information to allow us more search or indexing capability, but that will be determined more once we figure out the data storage unit we are going to use
• You have to interview people to get ideas from others before you decide on an approach

The Plan
Now, for the plan. A recommendation is for you to tape record or make sure you keep copious notes when you are talking to people about the approaches that you could take when selecting a data storage option.

Looking around the office and thinking about your other friends and family you make up a list of people you feel are important to talk with about this decision. Right now you are on a fact finding mission. Make sure that when you are talking with these people that you don’t try and lead them into any one direction and also don’t just cut them off if you feel that their solution isn’t going to work for you. Hear them out.

At the end of your discussion with them step away and take some time to review your notes. Then make up a pros and cons list outlining your feelings about the benefits and disadvantages that you’re going to have with implementing a solution like what was described.

During your review you might find that you have to get other bits of information before you can make a decision. For example if your recommendation is going to cause your company to hire someone then you might want to find out what the cost and feasibility of hiring someone at this time. While your solution might be the best for your office it is possible that implementing the solution just might not be an option right now (going back to the example of having to hire someone.)

When you are ready go ahead and read you the notes from your first interview.