Best Practice for Software Selection: Proof of Concept Instead of Tendering

Are you in the process of selecting the right PPM software? Then you probably already know: You need to make a choice and implement the solution as quickly and as inexpensively as possible. But at the end of the day, results matter, and the software should be a perfect fit for your company.

So far so good. You have probably catalogued the requirements already, or you are in the process of consulting with various stakeholders with a view to do so. You may even have researched certain PPM tools or providers already and shortlisted a few.

Now things get a little more specific. You have probably asked yourself at least one of the following questions already:

• How long will it take before we can actually make effective use of the software?
• What costs should we expect?
• How do we ensure that our individual requirements are eventually reflected in the software?
• How do we identify a software and service provider that is a good fit for our company?

If these questions sound familiar to you, read on. Our answers may surprise you.

Tenders: The Traditional Method for Selecting Complex Software – But Is There a Better Way?

First of all, here’s what you already know: When it comes to extensive software implementation projects, many companies rely on an upfront tender process to determine a) which tool is the right one and b) which service provider they would like to work with in the future.

Maybe you have toyed with this idea, and it may even be next on your to do list. If so, we would like to challenge you to reconsider. Our experience has shown that there is a better solution.

Why do we say that? For many years now, we have seen that tenders do not end up delivering on customers’ expectations for software that meets their needs best and a reliable and competent partner that they can collaborate with.

Why You Can't Get What You Need with a Tender

Tenders Take a Long Time and Cost a Lot of Money

Your final decision about the tool and service provider will be based on a theoretical assessment process that can take several months or even years. What ends up happening is that you invest in licenses before you and your users have had any extensive practical experience with the software.

You Can Never Be Sure That the Software Will Actually Be a Good Fit for Your Company

As a customer, you only have enough time to test the system briefly and rather superficially before deciding to buy. The service provider usually demonstrates the software’s features in web sessions or live demos. You only get theoretical answers to your questions about usability and accuracy of fit to your unique requirements.

A tender seems to be based on objective evaluation criteria, which would imply a high quality decision. But there may be very small differences between the individual candidates. A minute change to your rating system could produce a different result. You may even neglect your gut feeling.

The Service Provider Hasn't Yet Had to Prove Themselves in Practice

Choosing your software in this way means you are committing yourself to a particular partner early on. You have yet to see them live and “in action.” You will also only get to know the vendor’s sales force. You won’t know much about the team that you will cooperate with to implement the joint project.

The probability of making a wrong decision and thus a bad investment is therefore relatively high. Fortunately, there is another option. You don’t have to buy a pig in a poke.

The Alternative: A Practical Test With a Proof of Concept (PoC) Instead of a Theory-Based Tender

Our experience and, above all, the experience of our customers have shown us that a proof of concept is the better alternative to a tender. You will get a prototype of the system. Depending on your requirements, this can be done over a few weeks or even several months. With a PoC, you get to test your desired software early on and in practice. You also get to know the service provider. This creates a more stable foundation for making your final decision.

Only after the PoC Will You Make the Final Decision

Option 1: You choose the software.

• If, at the end of the test phase, you decide to actually use the tool, any deliverables from the PoC can be used as a point of departure for the actual implementation. So you can build on what has been developed during the PoC phase instead of having to start from scratch later when you complete the implementation.

Option 2: You do not choose the software.

• If you find that the tool is not the right one for you, you can still decide against it after the PoC. You will have the advantage of not having spent any money on licenses. You will not have wasted months or years of your time before coming to this realization. After this experience, you will also know more precisely what you need (and what you don't need).

The methodology of a Proof of Concept is ultimately to ensure that you are not sold a bill of goods. However, it was important for us to ensure from the start and in a very early project phase that Clarity offered everything we needed. 

Dr.-Ing. Uwe Kernchen|Head of Project Management Office

REHAU Industries SE & Co. KG

The most important reason behind running a PoC was that it allowed us to put the software and the service provider to the test in advance so that we could answer the important questions that we had at the time. For us, the Proof of Concept was an important confidence-building measure that, in my opinion, should definitely be carried out when implementing any major software package.

Josef Zellner|Director Multi Project Management

Zollner Elektronik AG

What was critical to overcoming these challenges was the Proof of Concept that we carried out. Here we were able to test all our requirements in practice and see whether the system worked as it should.

Stephan Watzka|Director Engineering R&D

DENSO AUTOMOTIVE Deutschland GmbH

In addition to the technical and functional validation, the proof of concept also acted as internal marketing for Clarity. It enabled us to make the tool tangible for future users at an early stage and increase the acceptance for the introduction of a new software.

Lucas Klein|Organizational Manager for Digital Efficiency

TeamBank AG

Six Reasons Why a Proof of Concept Is Always Worth Your Time

1. Save Time and Money

As is the case with a tender, using a PoC doesn’t exempt you from having to research possible tools and service providers. But you can choose whether you want to perform just one PoC with one service provider (and one software package) or perform several PoCs simultaneously.

For complex project and portfolio management software like Clarity PPM, we recommend that you set aside between one to six months depending on the complexity and scope of your requirements. You will quickly get a functional prototype that your users can work with on a trial basis. After this intensive phase, you will have a very clear picture of whether or not the software actually meets the needs of your company and your users.

You can also make an informed decision in a timely manner. Even if you do end up finding that the software or the implementation partner is not a good fit, you will come to this conclusion early on and not only once the implementation has been completed and all investments have already been made.

2. Test for Your Individual Requirements Yourself

Your use cases and processes are mapped on the basis of your own prototype so that you and your users can work with them directly.

The requirements are implemented, the service provider delivers, and you can start testing immediately, all in rapid iterations. You can have peace of mind knowing that the tool actually suits your company’s individual requirements and your new partner can optimally support you since these are satisfied in the software.

3. Take Advantage of Our Best Practice Experience for Your Processes

There is no need to reinvent the wheel: Comprehensive business software like Clarity PPM usually already includes many processes and use cases. Every company is unique and has their own individual requirements – but you’re in luck. Someone else has already done much of the work for you.

Get inspiration for your own processes by testing the standard functionalities. If you find that the existing features are not sufficient, you can also adapt the tool to your processes and come up with your own configurations.

You also get to benefit from the service provider’s experience. Especially when you are still defining your processes, your partner can give you valuable best practice tips and show you “how others do it.”

4. Postpone Purchasing Licenses and Minimize Your Risk

Speed is of the essence in today’s world when it comes to software selection and implementation. The last thing companies want is to decide to implement a piece of software for a large number of users where they are committed for months or years only to find out afterwards that they made the wrong choice.

With a PoC, you can avoid buying the proverbial pig in a poke. Before you finally decide on the software and purchase licenses, test it extensively using your prototype.

It’s not just the software that has to prove itself, but also the service provider as well. You can find out whether they live up to their promises on the basis of a PoC. You will clearly see early on whether collaborating together is a feasible option for you at all moving forward.

So you don’t have to commit to the software or the service provider and make large investments without a proper basis. This significantly reduces the risk of a bad investment.

5. Get a Sound Basis for Decision-Making

The PoC gives you the chance to get decision-makers on board early on in the selection process. You can incorporate important topics for managing directors, board members, and other stakeholders into the system already during the test phase.

Think about how management would react if you were already able to create and present your first reports, for example. Or if you can demonstrate the system to them live in real time, including the way it would actually appear if you were to use it?

You also involve your users closely and initiate the change process successfully right from the start. By incorporating the actual requirements of future users, you promote buy-in and added value.

This gives not only you, but also everyone else involved, the right feeling. But above all, it gives you a solid foundation for your decision, since you would have already seen that it works.

6. Get a Basis for Later Implementation

The additional benefit is this: If you do decide to use the software, then the time you have invested would have paid off not only because you were able to make an informed decision. You would already have finished part of the implementation process without even knowing it. That’s because everything that has been developed and customized during the PoC can later be used as a basis for further software implementation.

Experience from Practice

Proof of Concept at TeamBank AG

Interview: Insights into the Use of Clarity at TeamBank AG

TeamBank talks about the company’s experience with the selection and implementation of Clarity as well as the benefits of a proof of concept.

What's Next?

Your Next Steps to Selecting the Right PPM Software

• Definieren Sie die wichtDefine the most important requirements and use cases that you would like to test with a prototype. Find the relevant users and stakeholders to help you.igsten Anforderungen und Use Cases, die Sie mit einem Prototyp testen wollen. Finden Sie die relevanten Personen und Interessensgruppen, die Sie dabei unterstützen.
• Use the benefits and arguments mentioned above to persuade the decision-makers to use a proof of concept to help them select a software package.
• Save yourself the time that is required in order to conduct an extensive tender. Research service providers and tools and make your selection.
• Talk to your preferred service provider(s) and ask them if they would be willing to do a PoC with you.
• Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the proof of concept process or want to learn more about our best practices.

Proof of Concept with Clarity? Contact Us!

Talk to us if you want to find out more about what a proof of concept with Clarity PPM and itdesign may look like in practice. We would be happy to share our experiences and best practices with you.

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FAQ – Questions You May Still Have