s apply to video communication. For instance, the federal Clean Air Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Family Leave Act could all prompt implementation of video communication tools within a company. Competitive pressures can also prompt the installation of video communication. Recall how Management Recruiters Incorporated (MRI) used video to reduce costs associated with executive search activities. Certainly, many of MRI's competitors use video communication as a result of MRI's success. In still other cases, a key customer or business partner may request that an organization install video communication systems. Identifying such outside influences, and detailing the demands of each may prove invaluable in winning approval for video communication. Evaluation criteria should also describe the cost recovery period. Dividing total development cost by the net gain in operations derives this figure. From a financial perspective, a good investment is one with a positive net present value-that is, one in which value exceeds costs. Most companies will not consider a project if they cannot recover costs within eighteen months. Nevertheless, an organization may be able to justify video communication as a defensive investment (e.g., to not lose market share), or to execute a critical transformation-although it may be hard to prove this beforehand. A project proposal or business case should end with a statement of recommended action. That statement should reflect IT assessment of facts (as well as a statement of desirable information that is not known) and corporate activities. If video communication is viable, this section should present a recommendation that upper management approve funds and schedule the project (along with a proposed schedule). Some authorities suggest that an IT manager prepare a purchase order request in advance to anticipate and avoid delay. When presenting a recommendation, the very specific business benefit offers the most punch. For instance, rather than saying: We recommend the purchase of v