Pitfalls of Requests for Proposals
Too many vendors and too many similar products available on the market. The traditional procurement process is not always a great fit.
Difficult to assess the differentiating capabilities for software solutions which have become commodities
End Result: there truly are many suitable products that meet your needs and not just a select few
Time-consuming process between the writing of the RFP, the posting to the market and the evaluation phase. This process can take up to 1 year - all while technology solutions continue to evolve and your requirements likely have changed.
Consider the following 3 changes as part of your digital transformation:
Starting with a short-list of vendors based on widely available public information including things like client reviews
Requesting a free trial upfront, then build a more focused/shorter RFP to target more specific needs (rather than core functionality that all comparable products have already)
Collaborating with another company looking for a similar solution - when this solution is meant to automate a core business process and not meant to provide you with a competitive advantage
Need help with your procurement strategy? Contact the team at Cebean Inc. consulting.