3 Guiding Principles To Not_screw Up Software Purchases
1) Your fundamental goal is to buy an affordable solution that your team will actually use to meet your objectives.
Unfortunately, these three components often conflict.
Software is easy to use = won’t do everything you want it to do
Software does everything you want it to do = won’t be the easiest to use
Low price = sign of a booby trap with at least one of the following > usability / functionality / scalability / security / support / permanence
2) If the software isn’t above a certain threshold for either usability or functionality, your users won’t use it.
If you fail here, your users WILL eventually bypass the system. Your business intelligence will end up scattered across sticky notes, paper file cabinets, email, spreadsheets, and rogue subscriptions to simpler tools.
When that happens, the trust is gone. Say goodbye to accurate reports and reliable database notes.
All of the sticks you might use to coerce your users into compliance will fail, without fail. They will either hide the bypassing, or they will brush off their resume.
3) All software purchase decisions should revolve around net ROI.
Too many folks let the emotions of the part of the ROI they most care about sway them instead.
Net ROI = gains + savings - costs
ROI gains feel more attractive than ROI cost savings even if their financial impact is equal. Recognize those irrational emotions and set them aside. Money is money whether gained or saved.
