Project Management - The W5HH Principle

Barry Bohem suggested an approach that addresses project objectives, milestones and schedules, responsibilities, management and technical approaches and required resources. This is called W5HH principle. The questions that are answered in this principle are:

- Why is the system being developed?
- What will be done by When?
- Who is responsible for a function?
- Where are they organizationally located?
- How will the job be done technically and managerially?
- How much of each resource is needed?

WHY IS THE SYSTEM BEING DEVELOPED?
It enables the parties to assess the validity of business reasons for the software work. It justifies the expenditure of people, time, and money.

WHAT WILL BE DONE?
It specifies the task set required for the project.

WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?
It helps to determine the project schedule. It helps in determining when tasks are conducted and when milestones are reached.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A FUNCTION?
It helps to accomplish the role and responsibilities of each member of the software team.

WHERE ARE THEY ORGANIZATIONALLY LOCATED?
The software team does not contain all the roles and responsibilities. The customers, users and stakeholders also have responsibilities.

HOW WILL THE JOB BE DONE TECHNICALLY AND MANAGERIALLY?
The management and technical strategy of project is defined once the scope of the product is established.

HOW MUCH OF EACH RESOURCE IS NEEDED?
It helps in deriving estimates based on the answers to the above questions.