TCM490: Telecommunications Management Senior Project
Client Request

Introduction

In short, a request for a project can occur in many forms. In the most formal form, this is usually an RFP (Request for Proposal) from a client to a contractor requesting a bid on a project. The contractor will examine the RFP and any accompanying TPR (Technical Proposal Requirements) to produce a proposal for the client.

For the Senior Project, there is a minimum requirement for the project request and the resulting proposal. Here, we will look at the project request, which is referred to as the Client Request. The Client Request must be reviewed by the Project Manager, Senior Project Mentor, Senior Project Coordinator, and Program Dean. A routing sheet with proper names will accompany the Client Request.

Requirements

The minimum requirements for the Client Request are listed below. (Client Request format)

• The Client Request will be produced by the Client on Client Letterhead.
• The Client Request should come from a person in the company with the authority to bind a contract. This is not necessarily the client-contact for the project. The higher the authorizing authority on the Client Request, the safer the project is from termination should the client-contact be terminated.
• The Client Request will contain a standard header with date, client address and will be addressed to the Dean of Telecommunications at DeVry.
• The body of the Client Request will contain two sections: Company Description and Project Request. The criteria for each section are listed below.

Company Description

• Introduce the company.
• Introduce the Client Contact and their position in the company.
• Describe the business, it's function, mission statement and/or purpose.
• Describe your current network and future network needs (data, voice or both) as they relate to the request.
• Describe the strategic goals as they relate to the request.
• Attach articles that help describe the company and its goals as they relate to the request.

Project Request

• Describe the business need or problem.
• Describe the desired end result (deliverable): a verbal or written report, a completed inventory, or a network design, etc. It is encouraged that all projects include a formal written report to the Client.
• Describe any budgetary restraints, timelines, or deadlines of which the project must be aware.
• Describe the departments and their functions that will be interacting with the team or deliverable.
• The Client Request will contain a signature from the authorizing authority.

Examples of Client Requests & Support Documents