Ten Critical Success Factors for Successful System Selection Projects


By Jeremy Bolt


1. Have a business case
What are the motivations or benefits anticipated? What is the return on investment?

2. Get the right approvals
If you do not know what or who is required to approve this, find out very quickly.

3. Develop an appropriate project structure
No matter what others say, spend time on this, it will be worth it in the long run.

4. Get buy-in from relevant stakeholders
They will be waiting for the earliest opportunity to say, I told you so.

5. Involve key internal and external stakeholders Involve these people to ensure a successful outcome is in their best interests.

6. Follow a proven methodology
Akin to having a roadmap in a foreign city.

7. Understand and define your business requirements well
These will determine the success or otherwise of the entire exercise.

8. Know what, when and how to negotiate
There are significant cost savings to be made and traps to avoid when you negotiate right.

9. Get a fair contract
The vendor needs to make some profit to, or you will rapidly slide down the priority scale.

10. Ensure proper signoff
Project governance is important. Never more so than during future project reviews.

To ensure your system selection project is successful - you need to carefully consider all of the above ten critical factors.

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Jeremy Bolt is the founder of System Selection Online. This service provides all the resources and tools needed to enable organizations to select software and systems using their own staff. This saves money, saves time and results in better quality business solutions. For more information please visit http://www.SystemSelectionOnline.com.


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