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In recent months, nFold has embarked on various 'proof of concept', 'evaluation' and 'pilot' projects for the software it provides. Here's what we mean by these different terms:
- Proof of Concept - demo software is installed and configured in your environment by the supplier to illustrate by way of example how the software works with your data.
- Software Evaluation - demo software installed and training conducted so that your users can try out the software and rate it according to 'success criteria' defined in advance.
- Pilot Project - tentative purchase of the software on a small scale to prove the business case before deploying on a wider scale.
Such projects are typically billed on a time and materials basis and may involve training or the purchase of a few software licenses as part of the project. This approach gives customers an opportunity to evaluate the software in their own environment with their own information on a small scale, to reduce the risk of purchase.
nFold has grown wiser with each project and would like to share with you some tips for your own proof of concept, evaluation or pilot projects.
- Define Success - Take some time to define what the success criteria of the project will be. For example, for a proof of concept, you could define the specific outputs to be expected. Or for an evaluation, you could agree to a scoresheet that will be used when the evaluation is complete.
- Fix a Period - Agree to the duration of the project in advance. Fix a deadline for the decision.
- Enable Success - Do what is necessary to ensure that the project succeeds. For example, train users at the start of the project and ensure that the appropriate level of technical skills are available when needed for installation and configuration.
- Monitor Progress - Keep in touch with users and decisionmakers periodically for the duration of the project. Regular progress meetings are ideal.
- Demonstrate Success - At the end of the project, you must be able to show that the success criteria have been met. For example, you can demo the software in the user's environment to show the output you defined. Or you can summarise the results of the score sheets from users.
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