These are very typical mistakes — they are costly and avoidable

We know the factors that introduce error in business system selection projects. Our methods, fine-tuned in over 1800 projects, systematically avoid these costly mistakes.

(Have this list handy when making any major decisions in your  selection project
— it will positively influence your path. Download Graphic Version)

Top Ten Landmines When Selecting Business Software

1.  Selection decision overly influenced by biased inputs
Many advisors develop commission or advertising revenue from software vendors and objectivity is compromised or worse, non-existent.

2.  Selection decision made without comprehensive information
Persons who recommend software candidates or business software Web sites/tradeshows almost always have an incomplete view of the market. Multiple data sources are needed. 

3.  Selection that overly focuses on software functionality
Functionality data from any unverified source is counterproductive to identifying the best overall solution. SoftSelect's whitepaper on this topic provides details on this surprising reality.

4.  Selection that overly focuses on software cost
There are many ways to make significant impacts to final cost of ownership. The better solutions can be inadvertently eliminated with an early and simplistic focus on general cost representations.

5.  Selection processes promoted as largely automated
A few Web-based methods make this claim and will almost always lead users astray. There must be serious human interaction to qualify and study the gray zones that are not practical to model with automation tools and techniques. 

6.  Focus on acronyms and not the business objectives
Just because someone says ERP or APS is the type of software needed does not mean it is so. After business process priorities are established the type or types of software needed should be challenged before the selection proceeds (e.g.. ERP, or ERP with PLM, etc.).  

7.  Buying too much complexity 
Vendors offering software to firms below the company size for which the software is typically used. The entry price may be appealing now, but the complexity, implementation and follow-on costs can be a big problem. 

8.  Not conducting a formal requirements and issues study
Complex business software cannot be effectively selected when a firm is unclear about business process objectives and related business system priorities. Also this work can significantly contribute to implementation preparation.

9.  Selecting software that has fallen behind the times 
50% or more of existing enterprise software vendors do not have the resources to modernize their offerings. They may try to compete on price/terms and can trap purchasers.

10.  Lack of understanding about the benefits of a superior software project
Many companies start software replacement projects to solve specific problems. The full potential of these projects and the large value of this potential are not clear. Therefore this potential is significantly missed.

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