How do you evaluate a tool? How do you score it for evaluation? I want to understand how can we score less or more for a common feature that is available in both tools and does exactly the same job.
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Most competing solutions/tools will cover many of the same capabilities – but often in very different ways.
Look at each feature from X perspectives and score each – you can also assign weighting to each:
1-Does it cover you needs? (highly weighted)
2-Ease of use – number of steps, user interface, relevant information available throughout the process, ease of moving forwards/backwards in a process
3-Ease of learning/intuitiveness – can you users learn to use it without (extensive training))Does it provide extra value features that you may use in the future?
4-User documentation/available training from vendor
5-Vendor roadmap re the capability in question – improvements coming soon?
Scores on 2-5 will allow you to distinguish between the good solutions and the also-rans
This completely makes sense and you validated my similar approach. Thanks.
Hi,
It is a tricky question, especially if you do not mention what is the industry/ domain. These are some of the ones that come to my mind now. They might be a little disorganized.
In today's market, all companies position their applications in different domains. Therefore, check what companies are now using them. Talk with one or two current customers.
1- easy to use- Although they are doing the same task, knowing how many steps you need to get the desired function is essential. Do the extra steps immediately benefit you?
2- Cost - Most of the costs/ subscriptions are based on the number of users. This is another critical factor.
3- Security is another factor.
4- Accessibility
5- Social interaction? Can you share the content? Do you need to share it? Should people sign up for sharing?
6- integration. How can you use the software with/within other software?
7- Access : Mobile application/ Cloud-base / desktop
...
For any tool I am evaluating the main items I am looking for are ease of integration into my current tech stack; reporting capabilities meaning how easy is it to prove the investment was worth it; how intuitive is the overall interface; and finally how well their help site allows me to self service my needs.
If the common features are very alike, don’t score the feature, but the fulfillment purpose of the feature. (Like don’t score the turn signals in cars, by the ease- and security of turning)