Golden Principles for Testing VPEC-T Analysis
VPEC-T is a thinking framework, not a formal methodology, and, as such, can be applied at varying levels and stages within a project.
People using VPEC-T have found the following points useful in undertaking VPEC-T analysis:

• Is business language being used? Are the desired business outcomes clear?
• Are unnecessary process detail and implementation aspects being avoided?
• Would a potential consumer be willing to explore the system using the service described? Do they have enough information?
• Could the findings be presented to a business sponsor or governance body?
• Could an Action Plan be created? 
• Can we identify opportunities/options and make clear recommendations?
• Have areas of risk to the planned IT-enabled change been identified?
• Would the output be useful to an IT Architect?
• Can the output be applied to automated and nonautomated situations?
• Have the VPEC-T dimensions been captured and tested—by confirming their validity with subject matter experts and/or walk-through sessions?
  

A Process That Evolves
Similarly, there are no particular rights or wrongs for the way the VPEC-T analysis is executed. However, here are some guiding considerations:

• Be prepared to run several VPEC-T workshops for each focus area and allow for significant refinement and even dramatic changes in “facts” from one workshop to the next.
• Don’t expect to cover all five core dimensions in one go. It’s likely that only one or two will be covered in a session.
• The dimensions of Values and Trust might be hard to uncover and developing Trust over time will be required
• Be prepared to take sensitive issues to the Executive Sponsor.
• Be prepared for contradictions and tensions between various Policies and differing Values. The goal is for such
  conflict to surface early. 
• Be aware of differing levels of VPEC-T scope: market, ecosystem, company, department, individual.
• Ensure that descriptive language is simple, relevant and unambiguous.
  

General Applicability
Practitioners are applying VPEC-T in an increasing number of business situations (see also Practitioner Interviews). In general, organizations might find the VPEC-T approach useful when planning and executing change projects that include one or more of the following:

• Planning and executing business transformation programs
• Reducing business complexity
• Embracing new business models in the connected world
• Highly Federated business situations (e.g. global supply chains, governments)
• Balancing Central Control with Local Freedom-to-act
• Reducing IT Time-to-Market barriers
• Developing Shared Services and IT Commoditization (e.g. Software-as-a-Service, such as that offered by Salesforce.com) strategies
• Developing a business system model to take advantage of Service-Oriented Architecture and Web 2.0 technologies
• Developing Semantic-Web (“Web 3.0”) strategies and new information models that combine tacit and explicit information
• Developing Event-based technology strategies (e.g. RFID and BAM)
• Developing Managed Service Provision business models (e.g. Supply Chain intermediaries or SaaS Providers)
• Developing “Change-ready” IT strategies Developing post-M&A IS/IT strategies
• Developing customizable services to clients without perpetuating “point solutions”
• Dealing with complex interacting Systems of Value (e.g. Governments)
• Dealing with complex information-privacy and protection concerns 

 

VPEC-T is a practical thinking framework for Information Systems analysis—a way of thinking that is straightforward but works in
complex situations. VPEC-T is generally useful and can be adopted by all: business leaders, IT leaders, change agents, and business and IT practitioners. It can be applied in numerous ways. However, the aim is always the same—a common understanding that is expressed in the straightforward, real-world-aligned language of Values, Policies, Events, Content and Trust, and is focused on delivering better IT for business and people. 

Understanding VPEC-T is something that happens in stages. Once you start using VPEC-T, your understanding of how it works increases and the way that it changes your thinking expands. You become used to thinking about the Values in play in a situation or the Policies that are causing a conflict. Applying VPEC-T is a journey.