The results of selecting the right software may be obvious, but what about selecting the wrong software? Below we explore the answer to this question and provide an example from one of our consultants.
What happens when you choose the wrong software?
There are three primary actions you can take after choosing the wrong software:
- You adjust your business practices to suit the software. This results in inefficiencies, as the system drives the process instead of supporting a carefully developed process. There is lots of rework, it takes multiple steps to achieve an acceptable result, and of course there are associated extra costs and time. In most cases, you’ll be worse off than when you started.
- You stop using the new solution and revert back to the previous one. The most obvious result of this is wasted time and sunk capital. Less prominent, but still important, is the negativity from the user base. Change is hard within an organization, and failing at it produces apathy and resistance to future changes among the workforce. Lastly, you still face the problems you were trying to resolve.
- You select an alternative. Of course, you have to rerun the selection process, making sure to review your requirements and update associated materials used during the process (e.g., RFP). You also have to look out for apathy within the vendor base”both from vendors who were not select and vendors in the market who are aware of the failed attempt. These vendors may hesitate in putting forth effort or taking you on as a client.
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What’s an example of choosing the wrong software in practice?
One of our consultants worked with a trading company some years ago. The company had an extremely flexible business model, meaning there was massive complexity and variability in the work it performed, including how it structured its contracts. The company’s flexibility was its competitive advantage, but it also presented difficulty when it came to software.
When the company finally purchased a solution it believed could help the business, it spent two years attempting implementation. It invested time and money in professional services, licenses, consultancies, internal staff, hardware, and a host of other areas.
This wound up being in vain, as the solution couldn’t support what the business needed. The company couldn’t properly model its variable processes because there was too much customization needed for the many business permutations. In the end, the software was not fit for purpose.
The company chose to do a mix of points 2 and 3 above. It stopped using the new solution and selected an alternative”an upgraded version of the original solution. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side is an apt saying here.
The silver lining in this case is that though it failed, the company learned and could do better next time.
Make the right enterprise software choice”without spending a lot of time, money, and effort. Go with Factum.
Factum is a boutique consultancy with a solid track record of helping organizations select and implement an enterprise software that fits their requirements without going over budget and getting behind schedule. We make an otherwise challenging software selection processes easy to manage.
Our experienced consultants have worked across numerous industries with Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 companies. We use what we’ve learned and developed from past engagements to make the selection process quick and painless.
Don’t face your software selection process alone. Schedule your free discovery call today to see how we can help you make the right choice.