Learning Outcomes assessed:
a) Describe and discuss the issues involved in managing software selection.
b) Compare various options of software acquisition such as building, buying or renting a software package.
e) Prepare requests for proposals and evaluate vendors.
f) Negotiate contracts and prepare supplier agreements.
1. In this part of the assignment, you are to imagine that you work as an internal consultant for a company and are responsible for the evaluation of the costs and benefits of the real (not imagined) software solution chosen in Assignment 1. You also need to ensure that the correct legal documents are developed and put into place.
2. 10 Minute Oral Presentation of Case Study to Class in Weeks 11 and 12
In this part of the assignment, students are to prepare and present a brief oral presentation. You are to imagine that you have to convince the senior management and board of directors for your organisation that your chosen solution is the best appropriate one. Your presentation should be between 10-15 slides and include the reasons for considering the software, the requirements, various possible options and the reasons for your ultimate recommendation. Answer the following with subheadings for each numbered item:
1. Software Acquisition
a. What is Software Acquisition? In your answer, define and distinguish between building, buying or renting software. Use 3 credible resources (journals, good websites) for this question.
2. Request for Proposal
a. On the basis of requirements that you have developed and/or imagine to exist for your organisation, develop an RFP for the software that you believe that your organisation requires. In addition to what you have learnt about creating an RFP, you should also develop this RFP
considering the SRM software supplier scorecard that you created in Assignment 1 (see below).
3. Evaluation of Vendors (Include what you have already done as part of Assignment 1)
a. For the package chosen in Assignment 1, apply the results of your software supplier scorecard as well as RFP results to further demonstrate the correctness of your original choice. Briefly include two other real software alternatives that were not as appropriate as your original choice. You may make some assumptions and imagine particular requirements to fit your RFP here.
4. Negotiate contracts and prepare supplier agreements
a. Using the notes as a guide, develop a basic contract and any associated supply and support documentation which will serve as the legal documentation to define and support your arrangement with your chosen software supplier.
5. Oral Presentation
a. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation which summarizes the background, requirements, analysis and reasons for your choice. Alternative presentation formats such as Prezi are acceptable, as long as they work on the college computers for presentation purposes and your lecturer can mark them away from the college.
i. Structure - Must include an outline (1 slide), introduction (1 slide), requirements (2 - 3 slides), 3 possible software solutions (3 -5 slides) and reasons for choosing your recommended option (1-2 slides). The slideshow should be between 10 to 15 slides.
ii. Features - must have a good balance of content as well as special effects such as animations and transitions. Too many special effects can distract from your message.
iii. Presentation style - marks will be awarded for ability to engage audience in a manner appropriate to presenting to senior managers and directors, confidence, clarity and voice projection.
6. You will need to have at least 5 academic references for this assignment and they should utilise both in-text citations and reference list creation according the Harvard System.