• Use a multi-model approach to fact finding and identification of stakeholders and their needs and perspectives and map this to current and future developments and specifications.
• Selection and implementation of a good methodology for fact finding is essential, however attention also needs to be given to having appropriate research skills to interpret and translate the findings in a meaningful way. However this also needs to be coupled with good practical understanding and a pragmatic approach aligning findings alongside the project implementation and the local context

The lessons above have been drawn from researching project documents, and in particular from Jos Boys' report "Learning Lessons from MLE Development projects - A review of the 7/99 JISC-funded projects", a JISC-commissioned report.