Best practices for technology selection

1. Open process • Invite key stakeholders • Clearly define technology need and goals upfront. • 2. Establish criteria • Spell out the expected functions and features • Strive to address both immediate needs and long-term capacity • 3. Incorporate criteria into an RFP • Distribute widely • Encourage interested vendors to submit proposal. Best practices for technology selection

2. 4. Review process should be transparent and inclusive • Several stages of independent review and evaluation • Technical experts • Current users of the proposed solution • Key stakeholders who will work with new solution, e.g. I&R specialists, supervisors • 5. Finances and Cost • Don’t let cost be the sole driver. • Don’t share cost information during the evaluation stage in determining • Be willing to stretch if necessary to buy the best solution • There have been several examples of 2-1-1s implementing the least expensive software or phone system, only to have to replace it down the road. Best practices for technology selection

3. Sample Criteria