by jill barson gilbert, qep - lexicon systems · title: microsoft powerpoint -...

19 SEP 2012 © 2002-2012 LEXICON SYSTEMS, LLC 1

Key considerations for solution selection

Enablon Sustainable Performance Forum 2012by Jill Barson Gilbert, QEP


Introduction

Companies seeking EHS software have a choice of thousands of applications How do you select a solution?

If you don’t know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.”

–Yogi Berra


Topics

EHS software market

Software selection paradox

Systems life cycle

Ten questions to ask before selecting a solution

Fifteen tips to navigate the selection process


EHS software market

Enterprise EHS (3-5)

Mid-market (10-15)

“Point” solutions (1000s)


Software selection paradox

The paradox of choice says that the more options available, the harder it is to make a decision

“People select what is the easiest to understand

and evaluate.”–The Software Selection

Paradox


Systems life cycleIdentify Needs

Identify Needs

DesignDesign

Configure & Build

Configure & Build

Test & DebugTest & Debug

PilotPilot

DocumentDocument

DeployDeploy

Maintain & SupportMaintain

& Support

Software evaluation & selection


Ten questions to ask before selecting a solution


1. What are your overall objectives?

Strategy and vision Interim fix or long-term

solution? Start small and grow

system?


2. How ready is your organization?

Company culture Ability to adopt new

technology Organizational change

management


Technology Adoption Process

Adapted from Geoffrey Moore


3. What are your business needs?

EHS business processes to be automated

Desired high-level features and functions

System “blueprint”


Business process and its importance

“Data management only” misses the mark Brings together people, processes, info Evolves over time Governed by “business rules Can be depicted using a flow chart Clarifies roles, responsibilities, data flow


4. Will the EHS solution integrate or interface with other systems? Enterprise resource

planning (HR, assets, payroll, maintenance work order)

Document management systems

Process data systems


5. What is the user community and their specific needs? User types Job roles Global needs Localization issues


6. What are the organization’s technical (IT) requirements? Hardware infrastructure Security Installation model Software license type Offline data entry Mobile data entry Maintenance and

support


7. How much customization is needed to achieve project goals? Gaps between needs

and software capabilities

Configuration vs. customization


8. What is the desired project timing?

External drivers High-priority internal

needs Funding issues Facility turnarounds


9. What are the resource needs to implement the system?

IdentifyNeeds

Design Configure& Build

Test &Debug

Pilot Document Deploy Maintain& Support

SME IT PM


10. Do you have a business case, funding and senior executive support? EHS management

information systems projects are large

Evaluate cost savings and cost avoidance

ROI is just one measure of value

Grassroots projects are not successful


Fifteen tips to navigate the selection process

Process

Business needs

Balanced approach

Objective criteria

Adequate time

Crystal clear RFP

People

Know thyself

Key stakeholders

Executive sponsors

Adequate resources

Know thy vendor

Seek expert help

Technology

Data map

Interrelatiomships

Internal capabilities

IT standards, policies


Summary and recommendations

The EHS software solutions market offers many choices Answer key questions to gauge your readiness

for software evaluation and selection Adhere to a proven, objective methodology to

get you on the road to success If you lack the expertise to navigate through

the systems life cycle, then seek help


Resources

Crossing the Chasm (Geoffrey Moore) Inside the Tornado (Geoffrey Moore) The Software Selection Paradox (Gilbert, 2012)


For further informationJill Barson Gilbert, QEPPresident & CEOLexicon Systems, LLC

+1 281.280.8106lexicon-systems.com

by jill barson gilbert, qep - lexicon systems · title: microsoft powerpoint -...

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