Long before a server is delivered, powered on and configured, it is essential that certain information has been established and clearly documented.
- Project needs / requirements (focusing on specific services, not vendor-based solutions to drive definition of needs).
- Anticipated growth / evolution; life cycle of project.
- Definition of 'success' and 'failure' for project / services.
- Context for deployment, anticipated user-base; integration with existing systems.
Once requirements are clearly established, it becomes possible to evaluate and propose a variety of solutions, in order to find the best fit.