6 Software Selection Pain Points (and Proven Solutions)

6 Software Selection Pain Points (and Proven Solutions)

Table of Contents

Pain Point 1

Establishing accurate requirements and relevant priorities
Incorrect requirements will yield the wrong software choice, and faulty priorities direct attention and effort away from core issues.

Solution:
• Determine and document the current state.
• Develop a succinct and focused list of requirements and opportunities.
• Develop and vet priorities with leadership and core users.
• Formalize documentation to support.

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Pain Point 2

Selecting and negotiating with the solution vendor and implementation partners
Homegrown selection protocols are seldom successful, and will create limitations that will not be discovered until well into the implementation process.

Solution:
• Develop and apply a structured approach to selection.
• Develop standard measurements and criteria.
• Evaluate functional fit as the primary focus, but also consider technical, implementation and cost fit.
• Ensure apples-to-apples grading.
• Utilize intelligent and appropriate negotiation techniques.
• Pay attention to contract clauses.

Pain Point 3

Generating a feasible and realistic implementation plan
Relying on a vendor-templated plan, which rarely caters to special needs, may leave many parameters unmet.

Solution:
• Leverage the vendor’s approach but create a customized version that addresses unique requirements and includes all supporting activities.
• Have realistic expectations that align with a transformation roadmap.
• Generate a budget that will meet the needs of the plan.

Pain Point 4

Estimating resources needed, making a backfill plan, and upgrading aging hardware
The implementation effort often is misunderstood and underestimated. Most implementation failures are attributable to resource issues.

Solution:
• Develop a realistic view and honest assessment of resources available.
• Mitigate conflicts with backfill plans.
• Anticipate circumstances that will result in utilizing outside resources or purchasing new hardware.
• Gain solid leadership support and core team sponsorship.

Pain Point 5

Building effective organizational change management
These aspects often are forgotten, and even the most robust implementation plan will fail without them.

ERP implementation does not simply carry existing processes into a new platform. In many cases, these initiatives require a redesign of the way things are done at multiple levels of the organization. Change causes stress, and knowing who will be impacted – and proactively communicating to all stakeholders – will go a long way toward mitigating uncertainty and fear, and will help ensure a positive outcome.

Solution:
• Implement strong governance protocols and have effective collaboration tools in place.
• Document accountability measures, and get buy-in and sign-off from all relevant parties.
• Prepare for resistance to change—and be ready to manage it.

Pain Point 6

Managing implementation partner performance and ensuring accountability
Project charters without specific deliverables, guarantees, performance incentives, breach penalties and exit clauses are almost worthless.

Solution:
• Insist on a proper project charter.
• Pay close attention to contract details and clauses – and demand clarity.
• Establish a risk management plan to avoid mid-implementation questions and confusion.
• Monitor adherence to budget, timeline and scope.
• Communicate effectively when there are risks – and escalate when appropriate.

Are you experiencing any of these software selection pain points? Ultra can help! Contact us today to see how modern technology and improved business processes can make a difference.

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