How to select a wcms and the team to make it sing jboye13
1. Selecting a WCMS and the
Team to Make it Sing
1
Scott Liewehr | President and Principal Analyst | @sliewehr
May 9, 2013 | J.Boye Conference | #jboye13
18. 18
Helpful hints
RFPs full of boilerplate text will elicit
responses with boilerplate text
-Seth Gottlieb
19. 19
Helpful hints
You will be stuck in the "qualification"
queue until you show signs of intelligent
life.
-Seth Gottlieb
20. 20
Scott Liewehr | @sliewehr
Digital Clarity Group | @just_clarity
sliewehr@digitalclaritygroup.com
Notas del editor
Could’ve said interoperability, openness
Could’ve said interoperability, openness
When buying a WCM system, it’s not just about looking for a system to manage web content.It’s about finding a system which aligns with your strategy and helps create the experience you want for your audience.
That is . . .The role of the software (and the vendor selection process) is diminished in comparison to role of implementation, integration, and incorporation of the software into a complete solution.
Enabling technology – aka functional requirementsGive me controlMake it easier (not harder)Help me do it fasterTell me what I don’t knowHelp me improve over timeAligned Philosophy -- Does the platform support your strategic orientation for your online presence?Customer service?Personalization?Channelization?Social?Globalization?Inspiring trajectory -- Judge the platform with the next five years in mind (as if you know what’s coming) Innovative and strategic Agile response to market Transparent roadmap Stable and supportivePartnership mentality – can be satisfied by vendor or agency Understands your needs;Sets clear expectations; “Gets” customer service;Plays nicely with others;Has a strong community
Key thing to remember: You’re dealing with PEOPLETherefore, very hard to evaluate. Reputations are helpful, but may be unreliable.Not like evaluating softwareEmpathetic – Do they get you? Whether it’s an industry vertical, market size, target audience, philosophical approach, etcCapable and fluent – Capable: Sys Integrator? Branding agency? Interactive agency? Staff Augmentation? Fluent: with the technology? Past, referenceable projects? Comfy enough to be flexible?Consistent – A team vs C team minimize this risk. Ask about documented process, knowledge transfer, turnover, how they staff projects with seniors v juniors, training, etc.Accountable – Do you have their attention? Senior enough relationship manager? Accountable to the needs of the org, meaning they know how to say NO?
Identifying focal needs, or the 5-8 requirements which are either idiosyncratic or high priority enough to pare down the universe of options to a meaningful fewSelecting a professional services team alongside the technology, since they are critical to the success of the CMSConducting the onsite product and services demonstration before distributing the RFPUsing a ranking process instead of a scoring system to aid the decision-making processCreating a meaningful, concise RFPEnlisting a two-part Proof of Concept process that tests both the product AND the services team
Validating the need may mean NOT DOING THE PROJECT!!!Compile requirements – speak to all affected, but not just usersFocal Needs - 5-8 requirements which are either idiosyncratic or high priority enough to pare down the universe of options to a meaningful fewShortlist Technology (outside help or RFI)Shortlist Service ProviderInfo Exchange – just that…give and take; scenarios; multiple audiences; structured – BEFORE written RFP; ranking not scoringRFP process – hopefully a wise onePOC – for tech and SP