Task: Produce Request For Information (RFI)
This task focuses on producing the Request For Information (RFI).
Disciplines: Requirements
Purpose
  • To ensure that the information distributed to prospective vendors is presented in an ordered manner, that the requirements are clearly stated, and that all vendors receive the same information on which to base their response
  • To create and send out a Request For Information (RFI) that will be used to gather preliminary information and assess a vendor and vendor offerings for potential "fit" with the stakeholder's business requirements and candidate solution(s)
Relationships
RolesPrimary Performer: Additional Performers:
InputsMandatory:
  • None
Optional:
    Outputs
      Steps
      Determine the Right Content

      The contents of the RFI should be written in such a way to ensure the information presented is clear, complete, concise, unambiguous, and in an ordered manner.

      It is essential that the Request For Information (RFI) is not a long and complex document. In order to gain the support of the leading vendors to respond quickly to requests for information, it is essential that the RFI is kept to a reasonable size and has a mechanism for easy and straightforward responses.

      The RFI should not include detailed requirements. Detailed requirements are required to be signed-off, but it is not important that they are signed off before you produce an RFI. Detailed requirements will be signed-off during the elaboration phase as part of the Define Solution and Recommend Solution tasks.

      Consider the following when determining the contents of the RFI:

      • An introduction section that specifies the purpose of the RFI and gives specific instructions for responding to the RFI, such as number of copies needed, contact points, blank response forms or definition of response format, and date for submission
      • Information required from the vendors about the functionality of their products, indicating whether their products can support specific high-level requirements, and whether the support is a standard feature of their product or must be custom-built
      Create Request For Information (RFI)

      Using the Request For Information (RFI) template, assemble the pieces of the RFI and gain concurrence from the stakeholders on the contents of the RFI.

      Note: A full description of the RFI is in the Request For Information (RFI) artifact description.