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Assessing Packaged Software: Gap Analysis Made Easy

How do you know that a software package is really going to fill your users' needs?

RTC's Recommendations for Effectively Assessing Packaged Software:

  1. Hold Joint Application Development (JAD) Sessions with Executives and End User Managers.

    Gather current business priorities and IS support requirements effectively. Needs may have changed in the months or years that have elapsed since your last package or development effort.

    Use JAD workshops to group requirements more quickly. Invite project team leaders and developers to sit in and/or actively participate.

  2. Model Your Information Systems Support Requirements.

    Evaluate your current requirements for systems support that may be met by the package. We recommend modeling data in entity-relationship diagrams, business processes, and functions, using Oracle Designer or a modeling/repository tool of your choice. Then verify the models for correctness with end users.

  3. Perform Gap Analysis using Matrices.

    Using the entities, functions, and processes modeled above, create matrices that map the vendor's package functionality to your requirements. The matrices provide a graphical view of how the package supports your business needs. Where no match is found, be sure the gap is noted and explored. Where the vendor offers more functionality than appears to be required, note this as potential "value-added" support for your business.

  4. Assess Fit Based on Your Business Needs and Priorities.

    Evaluate the matrices and provide recommendations based on business priorities and cost-benefit justifications. Alternatives are based on real-life needs and constraints, and include:
    • Adoption of the package as is, with gaps noted and accepted;
    • Requests for enhancement of the package before or after purchase;
    • Decision not to adopt the proposed package based on too poor a fit;
    • In-house development using the data and function models for subsequent design and generation from the CASE tool used on the project;
    • A blend of packages and supplemental development in-house as appropriate.


For more details, including project tasks and deliverables, contact us.

Renée Taylor Consulting
Tel. 1 (530) 692 2000
Based in Sacramento
Serving California State government clients, other public sector and corporate clients internationally

expert@rt-consulting.com



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