How many times do we get convinced to put in something
new? Only to end up with a really cool system that no one will use? So what led
us to the conclusion that what we are currently doing is not good enough
anymore?
As an organization that sells software for a
living, let me share with you some of what we’ve heard:
- My team won’t use the last system
- The last system is too slow
- The service we are getting on our old system is terrible
- I just hired a few new team members and they want us to bring in what they used at their last job
- The old software does not work with the other new technology we just acquired
- We have simply outgrown our old provider
- We plan to grow, or we’ve taken on a new line of business, and we need something that is more flexible
If you sat down, you could probably think of a few more. The success of any
software or hardware project really lies with the people who are ultimately
going to get the benefit – does it not?
Before you embark on a new
project, before you get to the build vs. buy, work with the existing vendor or
toss them in for a new one decision – you should decide your
objectives.
Envision a discussion something like this:
We want to move from here to there, and when we get
there, it will be better than here. It will be better than here, because we will
be able to do X faster, more efficient, with greater accuracy and that is going
to drive Y more business or drive out X amount of costs.
When going from
here to there, we plan on spending about Z amount of time and M amount of
dollars to make this happen. Once we are done, we will be spending XX to
maintain and support and it’s all going to be worth it.
This will be
successful when we’ve achieved our goals, and this XX is how we plan on getting
our groups choose a direction and to adopt our solution.
How’s that for
highly scientific.
Practical application of technology, adopted by
knowledgeable and motivated employee’s, who are willing to share ideas and are
looking to create value for their community can do amazing things with
technology. Hope this helps, or maybe you just disagree…..
Happy hunting!
Author: Rich Reynertson
