- Introduction
- 1: Agree on a Common Definition of Capacity Planning
- 2: Select a Capacity Planning Process Owner
- 3: Identify Key Resources To Be Measured
- 4: Measure the Current Utilizations of the Resources
- 5: Compare Current Utilizations to Maximum Capacities
- 6: Collect Meaningful Workload Forecasts from Representative Users
- 7: Transform Forecasts into Resource Requirements
- 8: Map Requirements Onto Existing Utilizations
- 9: Predict When the Shop Will Be Out of Capacity
- 10: Update Forecasts and Utilizations
- Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute
6: Collect Meaningful Workload Forecasts from Representative Users
This is one of the most critical cardinal rules in the entire capacity planning process, and it's the one over which you have the least control. Developers are usually asked to help users complete IT workload forecasts. As in many instances of this type, the output is only as good as the input. Working with developers and some selected pilot users in designing a simple yet effective worksheet can go a long way toward enforcing this cardinal rule. User workload forecast worksheets should be customized and used as much as possible to meet the unique requirements of your particular environment.