Sometimes, I run across articles that are filled with so much common sense and guidance, that is refreshing to know you can get so much advice from one small article. This happened recently when I read How to Kill Your Software Selection Project in 10 Very Easy Steps. In this story were ten very real issues that happen during eSourcing software selections.
- Fail to get user buy-in
- Fail to get executive buy-in
- Automate the wrong business processes (AKA “Look Ma, I’m doing the wrong thing, much, MUCH faster!”)
- Over-express your requirements
- Succumb to undue influence
- Let software vendors set the pace in software demonstrations
- Look for the magic bullet
- Set unrealistic deadlines
- Compare apples to oranges
- Overlook the fatal flaws
You should read the entire article if there is even a possibility of a procurement application being reviewed. Additionally, I would map them out to make sure each one is being addressed by the team or individual tasked with the effort. Just treating this like a check list, can help create the right environment and expectations without getting lost in minutia or scope creep.
(Personally, I liked #6, as we encourage dynamic product demos that are driven by practitioner involvement or scripts. Any application demo that cannot do this should be instantly unplugged.)
