To choose new software that’s a good fit for the organization, define your requirements and qualify potential vendors.
This is step three of the six-step process we recommend to companies like yours.
At the end of this phase, you’ll have all the information you need to send requests for a proposal (RFPs) to selected vendors.
Keep in mind that in this phase – as with all phases – communication with, and commitment of, stakeholders and senior management are the keys to success.
Define the requirements of the new system
This is the time to think big. Cast a wide net when thinking about the requirements, the scope of the solution and the software selection.
Collect and write what you expect from your software. What challenges must it help you overcome? What processes should it streamline?
Do this so you won’t have to deal with a system that isn’t a good fit or won’t grow with your company.
As we said in part 2 of this series, involve the relevant stakeholders. Ask them what they need, what they want and what they would like from the new system.
Ask what would make their lives easier or solve a problem they’re struggling with.
Score each requirement from 1 to 4, with 4 indicating the requirement is ‘Mandatory.’
The goal here is to capture every need. You want to make sure that the new system works with your business processes.
Include IT as you document requirements. Can they support the solution? Do they think it should be on premise or in the cloud?
Knowing these requirements, combined with cost and other factors, will point to the best possible solution.
How to define your software requirements
Here are three techniques you can use to gather requirements, each depending on purpose and audience:
Interview technique: This is a conversation with one or more stakeholders to obtain or validate their needs and requirements.
The interview may also involve a Q&A session to discover:
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- Discrepancies between needs
- The high-level tech requirements derived from those needs
- The detailed requirements of the solution
Interviews make it easier to get stakeholder contribution, feedback and approval.
Joint Application Development (JAD) Technique: This is an extended, facilitated workshop. Stakeholders and systems analysts collaborate to identify needs or requirements. It has the advantage of having people’s undivided attention.
Survey method: In this method, an electronic or paper-based list of questions is given to the stakeholders so they can record their needs or requirements.
Some techniques work better for gathering requirements from stakeholders. Others are better for validating the list of requirements with them.
Business acceptance of requirements
At this point, you’ve identified all the requirements. The next step is to present the list to the company leadership team for review and approval.
Once the requirements are approved, move to the next step: Find the vendors and solutions that are good candidates for evaluation.
How to qualify software vendors
With the list approved, you’re ready to send the list of requirements to potential vendors.
Typically, you’ll send the list by email. Ask vendors whether or not they offer a solution that can meet the business requirements.
Ask them to write YES next to each requirement their solution meets, and NO next to those requirements their solution doesn’t support.
Their responses will narrow down your list of options. Invite those that meet most requirements to send a request for proposal (RFP).
Business acceptance of vendors
After receiving and analyzing the responses from vendors, your software selection team will present the list of selected vendors to the management team and the key stakeholders. At this points you’re looking for their feedback and approval.
For transparency, present the original list of vendors that you contacted and include their responses.
Ideally, you want to have seven or eight vendors participating with an RFP.
At Roghnu we have a team of experts who will help with:
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- Gathering business requirements
- Identifying potential vendors of the solution
Contact us so we can work with you on the process of selecting the best software solution for your company.
In the next installment of our Software Selection Series, we’ll help you understand the process of sourcing. You’ll see how to create the Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluate the proposals.
Just joining us? Here are the first two steps in this series:
Step 1: Choose Your Consultant
Step 2: Start the Project
