Our software selection process includes scripted demonstrations. The first demonstration is based on requirements, takes on average of 3 hours and is used as a way to select two final vendors for a more detailed demonstration based on business processes. The script can be challenging and some vendors would rather perform their usual demonstration sometimes called a dog and pony show. These vendors typically suffer the consequences as our clients will judge them harshly for not following the script. But we did recently experience a case where the vendor did not follow the script very well and our client did […]
Lesson Learned – Get on 1st Base
I was assisting a large company operating in one of the Caribbean islands. The company was involved in a wide variety of industries and used a home grown system to run their operations. My job was to help them select a new system. Although I followed what I consider best practice in selecting a new system, I did not appreciate the limitations of what was possible. I was trying to hit a home run when the best we could ever do would be to get on 1st base. So the lesson (learned) is that best practice for one organization is […]
The complex art of estimating
December 2011 from CAmagazine and written by Michael Burns – “Few complex projects are undertaken without some estimating being done. Whether it’s a construction company that needs to do a custom project or an accounting firm that needs to prepare a proposal for a complex audit engagement, someone (often several people) will have to take a stab at calculating the effort and cost required to finish the job…” Read more […]
How to Document Requirements
June 2010 from CAmagazine written by Michael Burns – “Before replacing any system, you need to document your requirements. Obvious, right? You just have to talk to the people working with the existing system and ask them for the requirements. But that would be a huge mistake, for a number of reasons. If employees are afraid the new system will automate a big part of their job, they might be reluctant to tell the whole story. Also, they might be unable to think outside of their own box, or they might think certain tasks are not worth mentioning. There is […]