PREREQUISITES AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE E-LEARNING PROJECTS Raul V. Ramirez-Velarde ITESM – Campus Monterrey Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico rramirez@itesm.mx Dudley Dolan Trinity College 8 Westland Square, Dublin 2, Ireland dudley.dolan@cs.tcd.ie Jose R. Perez-Cazares ITESM – Campus Monterrey Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., Mexico raul.perez@itesm.mx ABSTRACT In this paper we summarize on-going research on prerequisites for successful e-learning projects, establish best practices and risks to avoid, describe a maturity strategy, provide ideas for capacity planning models (human and technological) and cost modeling for economic analysis. KEYWORDS e-learning, sustainability, maturity strategy, cost modeling, capacity planning 1. INTRODUCTION The adoption of information technology in all countries around the world has gained momentum as governments understand the strategic importance of being part of the information society. Governments, enterprises and private individuals expend important amounts of money and effort in order no to be left behind. This trend has fueled the information technology industry, creating jobs and bolstering the GNP of many countries. It is well known that almost every activity of our society has felt the transformation power of information technology: government, education, health and economy all present different challenges for IT adoption and thus are striving with different methodologies, goals and projects. Unfortunately, there is a high level of attrition as many projects have failed, either by not attaining the stated objectives at all, by providing poor quality of service of simply not offering enough services to justify all the expense. E-learning projects are especially vulnerable since it is common that they stretch already hard pressed budgets. In this paper we discuss conditions, requisites and methodologies developed by the E-LANE consortium that ensure success of IT projects. Although they were developed for e-learning projects, it will readily be apparent that the principles apply to all e-society types of projects. E-LANE is a consortium that aims to reduce the digital divide in Latin American countries by developing an education program that uses advanced teaching methodologies and paradigms, as well as open source telecommunications and information technologies (E-LANE means Europe Latin-American New Education).