"The problem is all inside your head, she said to me. The answer is easy, if you take it logically." If Paul Simon would write a song now about software selection, the title could just as well be 50 Ways to leave your old system. "We have a problem. The answer is easy. We need a new system." Now, that's fast thinking. But really, why do you need a new system? Why do you buy a new application?

Not for every problem, the answer is a new information system. It's an open door, but make sure from the start, that you select software for the right reasons. At the end of the process, the selected vendor should be able to fulfill the need you wanted to be fulfilled in the first place. For your convenience and to help the vendors to be able to provide the right solution for you, you have to pay a lot of attention in the answer of the big WHY.

4.1 Business case

"Business case" as a word may be hype. But, the purpose for it, is timeless. It is in essence the description of the problem you want to fix, or the opportunity you want to take; it's cost for realization, and the benefits it will bring.

If you are a sucker for bullet lists… this are the components that make up your business case:

• Description; a short explanation of the problem to tackle or opportunity to grasp.
  
• Reasons; a description of the reasons why the problem should be fixed or the opportunity should be taken.
• Assumptions: all the things you assumed to make this business case consistent.
• Benefits; the benefits for your organization the fixed problem or the opportunity will bring.
• Costs; what will it cost to realize the entire operation?
• Investment analysis; time to break even, etc.

Seems like a lot of work. It is. And it should be. Spending money is easy. Spending money wisely is a hell of a job.

You should consider how much of your business case you will share with the vendors that will participate in the process; if you tell them nothing, they will not able to anticipate to your needs and expectations; if you tell them to much, your companies strategic information can be compromised.

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 25th, 2007 at 11:50 am and is filed under Software Selection.