Feel Free Read Things You Should Know: 25 Lessons I've Learned About Buying Content Technology and Services PDF
Selecting content software and services can be a frustrating and perilous process. Written by a veteran of this process from all sides, this book presents unvarnished truths about the mistakes and traps in picking software and companies to implement it for you. Be prepared for an honest, unsparing, and occasionally funny look at the points in the process where things often go very wrong.Contents1. There is usually a familiar roster of players2. There is no “soulmate” for your project, and all that glitters will eventually lose its shine3. Sometimes you just can’t estimate ROI on your project4. Software usually has to fit into larger technology landscapes5. Internal IT groups can be territorial for a variety of reasons6. The relationship dynamics between the players are different7. There can be a blurry line between software and services8. Open-source software often has no representation9. There’s sometimes tension between the vendor and their partner integrator10. The most thorough selection processes are a funnel of deepening analysis11. A vendor’s ecosystem should be evaluated as a core feature12. A Request for Proposal can sometimes be abusive and this doesn’t help anyone13. Know your budget target in advance and be prepared to share it14. If you don’t know how to write an RFP, get help15. Scenario-based demos are helpful, but can be restricting16. Pay careful attention to how much vendors and integrators are willing to teach17. It’s easy to get excited about something new and interesting18. RFP responses are often a team effort of multiple providers, which can be confusing19. If you have no CMS experience, get help for your evaluations20. An adversarial relationship with your integrator is never helpful21. The lure of “out-of-the-box” functionality is usually misplaced and illusory22. Poor governance and vague ownership do far more damage than a lack of technology23. Launch day is not the finish line, it’s the starting line24. A lot of results you’re promised will require considerable effort from humans25. Software is not your savior
