BPI Hardware Selection/Software Selection (Package Software) - Examples

BPI Hardware Selection/Software Selection (Package Software) - Examples

The following are examples of scoring schemes that can be used in HW/SW Selection.

Aspect: SOP - Reports	Importance Weighting	Package A		Package B
Detailed Question		Compliance	Score			Compliance
Can the report writer access all databases simultaneously?	20	50	10	100	20
Can the report writer calculate column & row totals and subtotals?	30	100	30	100	30
Can the report writer use exponential functions?	10	50	5	50	5
Can the report writer be used simply by an end user?	40	100	40	50	20
Total Score for aspect	100		85		75

Aspect: Sales Order Processing	Importance Weighting	Package A		Package B
Sub-Aspect		Compliance	Score			Compliance
Master File	25	62	16	57	14
Transactions	25	71	18	95	24
Enquiries	30	83	25	91	27
Reports	20	85	17	75	15
Total Score for Aspect	100		76		80

The project planning schedule gives the BPI practitioner a detail list of the steps for HW/SW selection. It should be noted that the time frames are only estimates and all steps are not required.

This plan shows a breakdown of the "Full" Requirements and "Full" Selection paths at process level.  There are many optional processes in these segments and it is important to note that no one would want to include all the options shown here.  The total elapsed time in this illustration is 17 months!  This is what happens if you want all the options.
The paths included are:

• Project Launch
• Segment Launch
• Full Requirements
• QA - Requirements
• Review path plan - post-requirements
• Segment Launch - Selection
• Full Selection
• QA - selection
• Review path plan - post-selection

This assumes that the current plan will be directly followed by a Delivery Segment.  Alternatively, it might be the end of External Consultants involvement and the "Terminate Project" path could be used instead.
The tasks, duration and dependencies shown are only for illustrative purposes - you will need to translate them into a real plan based upon actual circumstances for any real project.  Staffing needs are not shown at all on the illustration. The illustrative plan will be developed further and further examples will be collected.

Templates/Tools

Application Comparison Worksheet

Collates information from each vendor about the proposed applications.  Holds basic summary information such as release date and number of installations.
Hardware Comparison Worksheet
Collates information from each vendor about the proposed hardware configuration and operating environment.  This example assumes the hardware is to be procured for the new system.  A similar format could be used to collect facts relating to the degree of expected usage of an existing hardware configuration.

Vendor Comparison Worksheet

Collates basic information from each vendor about their organization, references, technical support capabilities and technology infrastructure etc.  It gives a feel for the reliability of the vendor as a future business partner.

Cost Comparison Worksheet

Collates responses from each vendor about the expected costs for each alternative over five years.  
Cost Summary Chart
Summarizes and charts the estimated cost responses from the Cost Comparison Worksheet

System Requirements Worksheet

Contains detailed requirements from the Requirements Matrices plus columns for scores, modification costs, cross reference and textual comments for explanations etc.  Can be used in one of two ways:

1. As a self-assessment response form to be included in the ITT to collect responses from each vendor about how well a proposed system meets the client organizationÕs specific requirements.
2. For the evaluation team to collect and collate assessments, scores, modification costs and comments relating to the responses.

System Scoring Worksheet

Collect scores for each vendor’s response about how well a proposed system meets the client's specific requirements

Scoring spreadsheet

Example spreadsheet for calculating weighted scores from compliance scores and weights, for producing summary charts and for producing layers of sub-totaling.

SQ/VQ Charts

Various example summary and detailed charts of the system quality and vendor quality findings.