Within the system design life cycle, planning for evaluation should be included in the original project plan.

Within the system design life cycle, planning for evaluation should be included in the original project plan.

• A. True — evaluation planning should be included in the original project plan.
• B. False — evaluation is not planned in the original project plan.
• C. Only for major projects.
• D. Not specified in the project plan.

Answer: (A)

Planning for evaluation from the outset ensures that how success will be measured, what data will be needed, and who will collect it are defined alongside the project objectives. This upfront alignment creates baselines and metrics that tie directly to requirements, guiding testing, validation, and governance throughout the life cycle. When evaluation is designed early, you establish the data collection methods, timing, and responsibilities, which helps prevent gaps, delays, and last-minute changes that can derail decision-making and realization of expected benefits. Even smaller projects benefit from embedding evaluation criteria and data plans in the initial plan because it supports accountability and continuous learning. Delaying evaluation planning can lead to missing metrics, misaligned success criteria, and poorer ability to demonstrate value.

Planning for evaluation from the outset ensures that how success will be measured, what data will be needed, and who will collect it are defined alongside the project objectives. This upfront alignment creates baselines and metrics that tie directly to requirements, guiding testing, validation, and governance throughout the life cycle. When evaluation is designed early, you establish the data collection methods, timing, and responsibilities, which helps prevent gaps, delays, and last-minute changes that can derail decision-making and realization of expected benefits. Even smaller projects benefit from embedding evaluation criteria and data plans in the initial plan because it supports accountability and continuous learning. Delaying evaluation planning can lead to missing metrics, misaligned success criteria, and poorer ability to demonstrate value.