Software Evaluation and Selection Processing
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The document provides a structured approach for businesses to evaluate and select new software solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding specific business and technical needs. It outlines key steps such as requirements gathering, research, product evaluation, and careful consideration during implementation planning. Engaging stakeholders throughout the decision-making process is crucial for ensuring alignment and successful adoption of the chosen technology.
Software Evaluation and Selection Processing
- 1. PRESENTED BY: ACIRON CONSULTING, INC SOFTWARE EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESSING
- 2. Are you looking to implement a new software program or technology solution? Today’s technology marketplace contains hundreds of thousands of products, vendors, and promises It is important that you thoroughly analyze your business and technical needs for a new solution, research, analyze, and assess potential solutions based on your needs, and select the solution that best meets those unique requirements
- 3. How do you find the best solution for your company? THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS YOU WILL WANT TO TAKE WHEN SELECTING A NEW TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT AT YOUR BUSINESS INCLUDING: Requirements Gathering and Analysis Research and Evaluation Product Demos Implementation Planning DEPENDING ON THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF YOUR INITIATIVE, YOU MAY WANT TO HIRE A CONSULTING FIRM OR TO PERFORM THE WORK YOURSELF IN-HOUSE IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THE WORK YOURSELF HERE IS A GOOD PROCESS TO FOLLOW:
- 4. TALK WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS 1. 2. EXAMINE YOUR EXISTING IT ENVIRONMENT AND IT INVESTMENTS 3. MAKE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF YOUR SPECIFIC BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL NEEDS FOR A NEW SOLUTION ANALYZE AND PRIORITIZE YOUR NEEDS 1. THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IN THE PROCESS, AS WITHOUT TRULY KNOWING WHAT YOU NEED, YOU CANNOT SELECT AN APPROPRIATE SOLUTION.
- 5. 2. RESEARCH OPTIONS ONCE YOU HAVE ASSESSED YOUR NEEDS, YOU CAN NOW USE THOSE REQUIREMENTS TO RESEARCH SOLUTIONS THAT MATCH THOSE NEEDS START WITH A LONG LIST OF OPTIONS, TO ENSURE YOU CONSIDER ALL VIABLE OPTIONS, AND GRADUALLY ELIMINATE SELECTIONS BASED ON HOW WELL EACH FITS WITH YOUR NEEDS YOU SHOULD TRY TO COLLECT INFORMATION FROM AS MANY SOURCES AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID FALLING IN THE TRAP OF MARKETING OR SALES PITCHES
- 6. 3. Evaluate how well each option meets your needs AFTER PERFORMING THOROUGH RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FITS, YOU SHOULD NOW START NARROWING DOWN YOUR LIST TO THE TOP FEW SOLUTIONS BY ASSESSING EACH SOLUTION AND HOW WELL IT MEETS YOUR REQUIREMENTS A FEW KEY FACTORS THAT YOU WILL WANT TO EVALUATE ARE: • Fit with requirements • Cost • Flexibility • Ease of use • Ease of implementation • Ease of maintenance • Scalability
- 7. By evaluating the options against your needs, in an unbiased and structured manner, you should be able to refine your list to a few top contenders Developing a structured matrix by mapping out the solutions against your prioritized requirements can also come in handy when performing a thorough assessment 3. Evaluate how well each option meets your needs
- 8. You should not buy software or technology that you have not seen in action 4. Take Test Drives Try to obtain free trials of the top few solutions you have identified before making a final decision in order to evaluate each more thoroughly. How easy is each for end users to understand and use? Can you easily perform the daily operations that you need to with the solution? Do you see the software or technology working well for you into the future, as your company grows and your needs evolve?
- 9. Select Best-Fit Product and Plan for Implementation YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE ENOUGH IN-DEPTH INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS NECESSARY TO MAKE A THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, UNBIASED SELECTION IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS DECISION PROCESS TO: • Ensure “buy in” • Ensure that your organization’s employees will use and feel positively about the given technology ONCE YOU SELECT THE MOST SUITABLE SOLUTION, YOU CAN THEN START PLANNING FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION
- 10. REMEMBER, THE EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS VARIES FOR EACH UNIQUE COMPANY, PROJECT, AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOME INSTANCES, YOU WILL WANT TO EMPLOY A MORE THOROUGH AND INTENSE PROCESS, WHEREAS WITH OTHER DECISIONS, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP AROUND AND PERFORM THE WHOLE PROCESS IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS Conclusion WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCES SELECTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES?