Where do you sign-off requirements in MSF? Do you finish writing the functional specs in the planning phase and then you sign off with the client right before starting development.
NOTE: I'm working on a fixed scope fixed price contract so agile model will not work. Does that mean Iterative and Incremental approach will not work as well. In such scenario, cant i kick off development before finishing the planning phase.
If it is a fixed scope, fixed price contract, then surely you want agreement on a finished functional specification so that everyone is happy with what the end outcome will be.
The last thing you would want to do is start developing functionality that is neither agreed upon nor necessary as part of the fixed price and scope, as that will simply be an inefficient use of time.
By the Way, what is MSF- Microsoft Solutions Framework?
As you refer to Functional Specs, plural, you could always look to sign some of them off so development on those areas of functionality can begin and then work to finish the others. This avoids potential work on areas that will not be part of final delivery while allowing work to commence.
One of the Foundation Principles of MSF is
Stay agile, expect change
I certainly wouldn't start developing before the customer signs the contract. And I can't imagine how they could do that until you give them a price. And price is dependent on time. And time is dependent on the features that the customer wants to pay for (you estimate the work). So, that leads me to conclude that you would have to have the specs done before doing any work at all.
Which is of course why the concept of fixed price and scope has been proven time and time again to be inefficient.
yes, you certainly want to get sign-off (or project engagement) prior to starting the project in earnest (even before taking a deposit)
nearly all the projects i do are fixed-price
on my proposal (which is a high-level listing of deliverables), i have this:
you can get more info about sign-off/project engagement from this article: Writing Short, Easy to Read Fee Proposals (Part 2)
--LM