In the first article of this series, we introduced you to the software selection process we’ve perfected over many years of helping small to medium-sized businesses.
Now, discover how you can take the first step toward choosing your next ERP software:
- Choosing your project leader
- Signing the master services agreement (MSA) and statement of work (SOW)
Choose your project leader
Selecting new software to help you run your company for the next five to 10 years isn’t easy. But it will be much harder without dependable leadership.
That’s why the person you choose to run the project is important. They’re going to have to dedicate a lot of hours to this project over the next few months.
Your project manager must:
- Work with an internal team to define what the company needs from the new ERP.
- Identify and meet with vendors who can supply the software to meet those needs. And do it before creating and distributing a Request for Proposal (RFP).
- Analyze each of the responses before recommending and obtaining internal agreement on the chosen vendor.
If no one in the organization that has the skills, or the time, to tackle the project, you’ll need a consultant. An experienced consultant who has been through this process before is invaluable. They’ll keep you on track and ensure the project team focuses on making sure the software solution meets your needs.
If you decide to use a consultant, make sure both parties agree to the terms (and get it in writing). Here are two agreements that we recommend:
Master Services Agreement (MSA)
The Master Services Agreement (MSA) is important when you plan to hire a consultant to perform a series of services over a period of time.
The MSA, which the consultant will usually provide, typically covers the legal protections for both parties.
Terms of the MSA may include:
- Scope of work
- Compensation and payment terms
- Detailed ownership rights
- Service warranties
- Agreement termination
- Liabilities for infringement
- Insurance
- Non-solicitation of employees
- Agreements related to the use of third parties for work.
- Non-disclosure agreement (NDA)
An MSA allows you and the consultant to easily negotiate future statements of work because you can both use the general terms of the master agreement as a starting point.
Proposal / Statement of Work (SOW)
This document describes what needs to be done to fulfill the contract. It defines the tasks to be accomplished or services to be delivered in clear, concise, and meaningful ways.
Once completed and reviewed by the legal departments from both parties, the documents are:
- Signed
- Kept available to guide the work over the next few months
At Roghnu we have 10+ years’ experience in software selection and providing the tools you need to make a top-quality selection of your own.
Contact us so we can provide you access to these tools at no charge and with no commitment to us.
In step two of this Software Selection Series, discover how to start the project plan and hold your kick-off meeting.
