When it comes to the application selection process, many organizations issue well-prepared RFPs, hold detailed meetings with vendors, examine company backgrounds, and carefully question customer referrals. A shortlist is crafted, containing several providers that appear to have a suitable software package with promising implementation, support and ongoing maintenance plans. At this point, a vendor demonstration is an excellent vehicle for determining how the software will work, look and feel.
Since the vendor’s credentials have passed muster to this point, the demo day is an opportunity to focus sharply on the application itself. A crucial input for the demo day is the demo script.
Recommendations for Preparing Demo Scripts
- Determine the demo length. Most software demonstrations last between two and four hours. This period is not long enough to review all the functionality of an enterprise application. The selection team will have to establish which functions they wish to view and specify how much time must be apportioned to each key functional area. For additional information on forming a selection committee, refer to the McLean Report note “Establishing a Selection Committee for Enterprise App Projects.”
