How To Select and Procure Content Technologies

Copyright © 2008 CMS Watch | www.cmswatch.com SIFMA New York 2008 1

How to select and procure Content Technologies……..

DocTrain - Indianapolis 2008

Alan Pelz-SharpePrincipal

[email protected]


IndependentWe never work for vendors. Period.

DetailedIndustry veterans with technical

backgrounds.

Detailed customer research.

Head-to-head vendor comparisons.

PracticalSpecific advice. Best-practice

approaches. The Real Story.

Product evaluation reports &

subscriptions available at

CMSWatch.com


PRODUCT SELECTION STEPS (1)

• Identify (uncover) stakeholders• Inventory content, analyze structure, processes

• Build and prioritize your initial requirements

• Confirm business commitment• Develop the broad architecture of your system



• Review technology alternatives• Pick a good proof-of-concept• Develop & Issue an RFP• Check out the Vendor

•Perform viability due diligence (Cash is king)

•Attend User Group Meetings•Meet the team who would work with you

• Put product – and company – through some paces


Test, test, and test again

• Test any software with real users before you sign a contract.

– You need to know that the software will work in your environment (server builds, security, etc.).

– Vendor salespeople are not always…candid.

– You think you know your requirements, but you actually don’t until real screens are painted.

• Test competitively– Use scenarios for “bake-offs”– This is resource-intensive, but what’s the

cost of a failed implementation?


IT’S THE COMPANY

• Meet the team who WILL work with you.



• Select a package• Hold off on complete licensing where possible

• Train Developers ASAP• Prototype quickly• Focus on end-user training plan and deliverables

• TEST (a lot is happening)• Roll Out…


Pitfalls: OVERSTRETCH

•Trying to initiate a complex system all at once.

---------------------------------------------------

•Best Practice: Use prototypes, proofs-of-concept, and phase in implementation.


PITFALL: Getting Lost in Grandiose Visions

• Stalling out on over-architecting• Content processing is not the same as content publishing

--------------------------------------• Do the analysis• Concentrate on content and tasks:

• What is our most important content?• How can we manage it better?• How do we really need to integrate?


Pitfall: Underestimating Costs

• Work to normalize pricing:– per CPU – per server – per domain – per contributor – per power contributor – per content item – per developer – per year, and, frequently... – ...some combination of the above

• But remember…


The real costs are in services

•Underestimating integration and professional service needs--------------------------------------

•Best Practice: Budget 2 to 4 X for consulting, customization, integration, migration.


PREMATURE SELECTION

• Picking a CMS product before developing a business case and solid requirements.

--------------------------------------• Best Practice: Figure out…

•why you want to do this, •what you expect to gain, and therefore•what it is that you truly need, and then

•Develop scenarios / use-cases that reflect those outcomes.


“Checklist RFP’s”


About CMS Watch

“Markets are Conversations” -- Cluetrain Manifesto

Industry-leading, scalable solution for the enterprise, fully customizable for your needs, with robust API, Web Services support, and lowest TCO in its class, blah, blah, blah…

How does it work? How much does it really cost? What’s wrong with it? Who are their real competitors? Do their consultants know my industry? Will my co-workers actually use it?


Use Cases and Scenarios

• As Is• To Be

ExampleSusan in the New York mail room……….

Susan in the New York mail room……….


Use “Scenarios” and “Personas” Instead

The larger the group, the simpler the tool…


Sponsor a real bake-off…in your kitchen!


IndependentWe never work for vendors. Period.

DetailedIndustry veterans with technical

backgrounds.

Detailed customer research.

Head-to-head vendor comparisons.

PracticalSpecific advice. Best-practice

approaches. The Real Story.

Product evaluation reports &

subscriptions available at

CMSWatch.com

How To Select and Procure Content Technologies

Business

Transcript of How To Select and Procure Content Technologies