Question #2: Do you need a new system?

I apologize for the hiatus.  We are now BACK and picking up where we left off in our latest series Business Information Systems Dilemma - System Selection, Implementation and Optimization.  We already asked the first question - Question #1: How effectively is your business running?  So now comes the next important question to ask:

Question #2: Do you need a new system?

You know you need to streamline the processes and eliminate tribal knowledge, but what do you really need the system to do? To ensure a successful outcome, you must clearly define why your organization is not running effectively:

·         Is it because your legacy system has reached the end of its useful life and you can no longer maintain it?

·         Are you trying to rapidly embrace best practices, streamline and simplify business processes?

·         Is it because it will give you the ability to scale the business?

·         Is your current system not providing the data – if it ever was – that you need to make well-informed decisions?

This internal soul searching provides the criteria needed to determine if your current system is capable of handling these newly defined requirements. A modification of the existing software may be all that is needed. The criteria may also make it obvious that it is time to implement a new application that will grow with your business.

Don’t skip this step! If you do not take the time to explore this question thoroughly, you run the risk of spending valuable time and money for little or no gain.

Next Week - Question #3: Who needs to buy in to the process?