Market Research Phase for Small Packages

In this phase, research is performed to identify the top 5 packages in the market for this business function, evaluate the packages based on that research, and select one package for an initial demo. The purpose of the initial demo is to show all stakeholders where the market is now, so that System Analysis is not constrained by what is known of our current systems.

The primary participants in this phase are the core team identified in the Preliminary Planning Phase of the project (including both client representatives and DMS representatives), and any extended team members who are knowledgeable about the business function, the current market of systems to perform that function, or the architecture, installation, or data requirements of such systems.

Deliverables
Top 5 List
This list includes the top systems found during the market research, and provides comments indicating what pros and cons are mentioned for each package. The list should be prioritized, to show which package has been selected for the initial demo.

Neither sample nor template is available yet for this list.
Initial Demo Scheduled
The initial demo must be scheduled before the project can proceed to the System Analysis phase. All participants in the System Analysis phase should attend the demo.
Methodology Compliance Form
This form is initialized by the project team, and completed by a methodology representative who has reviewed the project documentation and found it acceptable. It is completed in Word.

At this time, no sample is available. Click on the Template button to save the template on your C drive, where you can use it to open a new compliance form in Word. Click here for complete instructions for using a template in Word.
Recommendation Form
This form is completed by the project team, and contains the recommendation to the project sponsor on whether or not the project should continue. The form is completed in Word.

At this time, no sample is available.

 

Steps

  1. The project team reviews the documentation from the previous phases.
  2. Using any resources available, including the internet, sources at other colleges and universities, computer magazines, etc., the team determines what packages on the market perform the business function, and selects the top 5 packages for further evaluation. If there are less than 5 packages on the market, all of the packages are eligible for further evaluation at this point.
  3. Based on the research performed in step 2, the team selects the top package (the market leader, or the package that seems to most closely match any known requirements) for an initial demo. The purpose of this demo is to give the team an idea of what is possible before they begin system analysis in the next phase.
  4. The initial demonstration is scheduled for a date and time when the entire extended team, as well as any team members who will be added for the System Analysis Phase, can attend. Make sure that the installation requirements are addressed before the vendor arrives to install the demo system.
  5. The entire team attends the demo of the selected package. The demo should not be scripted, but the team should control the presentation--this is not the time for a sales pitch! If the vendor starts making a lengthy sales pitch, gently but firmly let them know that they will have an opportunity later in the selection process to provide more detailed information.
  6. The project team forwards the deliverables to the methodology representative for review. The methodology representative reviews the documents for compliance, and completes the Compliance Form. If the deliverables conform to methodology requirements, they are returned with the completed compliance form to the team, which then proceeds with the next step.

    7. If the deliverables do not conform to the methodology requirements, the deliverables and the compliance form are returned to the team with an explanation of what is wrong. The team then corrects the deliverables as required and returns them to the methodology representative for a follow-up review. When the reviewer approves the deliverables, the team continues with the next step.

  7. The project team writes a recommendation indicating whether they think the project should continue or not, using the recommendation form. The recommendation form is attached to the project documentation, and forwarded to the project sponsor for review.
  8. The project sponsor decides whether or not to move forward with the project.