Ideas vs. Technology
> Ideas can be driven by a new technology
> Ideas often come from a “community” within the company
> Ideas require a higher level of research and development
What does it mean? Who does it affect us? How will it work?
> Ideas can create more change within a company than a technology
Affects multiple levels within an organization
Requires deeper participation with employee population
> A technology can be selected to fulfill an idea
> A technology recommendation can come from anyone within an organization
> A technology requires a lower level of research and implementation
> A technology can usually only affect a single group within the employee population: Project Managers, Developers etc.
Selecting the Right Idea
> Concept Screening
Comparing options against a baseline benchmark.
Compare against factors like cost, reliability, time etc.
> Delphi Method
Explore ideas or gain consensus with remote group.
> Force-field Analysis
Exploring forces for and against an idea (pros and cons).
> The Hundred Dollar Test
How will you spend $100 on your ideas?
Select the idea that best matches your budget.
> The Kipling method (5W1H)
Ask simple questions for great answers.
> Negative Selection
Sort out the ‘definitely nots’ first.
Must Haves, Maybes, Can Live Without etc.
> NUF Test
Score idea based on how New, Useful and Feasible it is.
> Pause
Reflect for a minute before deciding.
> PINC Filter
Evaluate Positives, Negatives, Intriguing and Concerning elements.
> Six Thinking Hats
Look at ideas from different viewpoints.
Information, Judgment, Creativity, Intuition, Optimism, Thinking.
> Swap sort
Sorting a short list by priority swapping.
> Voting
Democratic casting of votes for the best idea.
Selecting the Right Technology
> Assemble a selection group composed of people from every part of the organization who will use the software, including key decision makers.
> Come to an agreement about the business processes that will be automated before looking at software. What are you trying to solve and/or improve?
> Factor in your company’s culture.
If people are used to the freedom of choosing their work and working conditions, be careful not to choose a system that will destroy what people value most about their current business processes.
> Decide if you want an end-to-end, all-in-one package or one that integrates with current systems.
Usually the latter are simpler and more cost-effective to implement – adheres to the “organic nature” of a company.
> Match the technology to your company size and the industry you’re in.
Some solutions are better for small companies, some are designed for health-care enterprises and others for government services.
> Decide on your platform of choice.
Will it be a thin-client Web-based one?
Will it be a more traditional client/server model?
Will it be an open-source or licensed solution?
> Don’t underestimate how long it will take to implement the package!
Preparation for the Presentation
Before presenting an idea or technology to management, prepare answers to the following questions:
> Where is the value?
How will this idea/technology affect change in the company, and how will that change deliver value to your company?
What are the $, resource and time costs to implement and support?
What are the $ and time benefits after implementation?
> What will this idea/technology solve and/or improve?
This should be a definite list of areas that will have a positive impact from the start.
Long-term benefits should be categorized separately so there is strong awareness on short and long-term gains.
> Is there a strong “buy-in” within your company?
The greater our community supports the implementation of an idea/technology, the higher level of success can be attained.
> Your Official Proposal
Executive Summary
Management, Key Personnel and Business Partners Involved
Description of Idea/Technology
Implementation Plan
Management Plan
Financial Evidence and Projections
Supporting Documents
Gathering Feedback
After your official proposal is submitted, gathering feedback is critical to help re-enforce and/or improve the idea/technology being recommended.
> Specific areas requiring feedback:
Quality of proposal
Overall score on the idea/technology
Areas requiring improvement
Recommendations on improving the budget, timeline and resources for the implementation and support of the idea/technology
What alternatives can be recommended
Has it been done before at your company, and if so why did it not succeed
What external resources have done in the past (ask friends, relatives, prior coworkers etc.)