| Choices you make could be a matter of life and death. | | | | small. We have our checks and balances. But the |
| Or they could be a matter of joy or despair. | | | | wrong software selection could be costly: - #1 in terms |
| Sometimes we're not happy with any of our | | | | of your organization wasting money and #2 in terms |
| alternatives. But champions know how to take lemons | | | | of your personal well being. Often technology projects |
| and make lemonade. | | | | gone bad results in job loss or demotion. Not to |
| There's lots of excitement and enthusiasm about the | | | | mention the cost of non-compliance with SOX |
| 2008 US presidential campaign. Reporter, journalists | | | | (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or other regulations which your |
| and political scientist are loving it. I've received | | | | system or technology was supposed to address. You |
| numerous emails with different angles and perspective | | | | could go to jail! |
| on the candidates and issues. I'm pleased that the | | | | So how to make intelligent decisions in the realm of |
| diversity of choices has prompted the American | | | | vendor / software / technology / system selection. |
| people to examine their values and give thought to | | | | Noble & Associates Consulting Inc provides |
| what's best for our country. But, do most people vote | | | | evaluation and selection assistance. The above |
| on issues? Or, are decisions based on emotional | | | | mentioned candidate selection questionnaires are |
| appeal? | | | | based on the premise that the most important issues |
| The internet has had a phenomenal effect on the | | | | have been addressed. And the two quizzes differ in |
| election process. There is data available on any and | | | | that respect. Similarly, before any evaluation process |
| every subject. The newer technologies enables the | | | | it's important to clarify what you're trying to accomplish |
| various modes of media to deliver more in depth | | | | and what's important. |
| coverage and up to the minute results. We don't lack | | | | We suggest a five step process: |
| the data to make intelligent decisions. The challenge | | | | 1. Clarify goals and strategic direction |
| comes in trying to process and make sense of it all. | | | | 2. Understand and document requirements |
| I see an analogy here for selecting software and | | | | 3. Prioritize and rank requirements, and develop a |
| vendors. There's lots of interesting choices in the 2008 | | | | scoring strategy |
| election - a black African American, a woman, a | | | | 4. Map vendor/software/technology capabilities to |
| Mormon, a preacher. But in the United States' | | | | requirements. |
| democratic system of government, the impact of | | | | 5. Evaluate and select. |
| electing a Republican versus a Democrat is relatively | | | | |