1. Specify your requirements. Either brainstorm and document what you need, or save yourself time by using Axia’s Accounting, CRM, HR, Payroll or HR+Payroll RFI/RFP Templates. 2. Identify software / systems vendors. Check out the market, research the internet, visit exhibitions, talk to other users, create a RFI and a RFP. Contact vendors and issue the RFI. 3. Review vendor RFI responses and software details. Compare against key requirements. Identify a short list of 3 or 4 potential vendors that meet your requirements. 4. Attend system demonstrations with vendors. Confirm that the systems can meet your requirements. Reduce the list down to 2 or 3 preferred vendors with which to proceed further. 5. Refine your new system design thoughts - from what you have seen and heard, and from your original ideas / requirements. 6. Prepare / amend and issue a RFP - containing your detailed requirements to the preferred vendors. Carefully review, evaluate and score the responses. 7. Undertake further investigations - of all areas / relevant aspects of the software. Test and prototype system software - especially for complex requirements. Examine other areas eg hardware, network, database, system performance. 8. Attend detailed system demonstrations and meetings with vendors. Discuss and resolve all outstanding points, issues and queries from the above with the preferred vendors. 9. Reference site visits. Visit at least 3 reference sites (and phone 3 more) of the preferred vendors. Listen and learn from their experiences. 10. Decision. From reviewing all the above information, it should be clear as to which system to select. Commence final negotiation, contractual and service level negotiations. For more software selection information, visit: 10 Steps to select new business software / Stakeholder management tips / Sample project plan for business system selection / RACI matrix / Project initiation checklist / Software selection time-saving tips / Project issue log / Requirements gathering techniques / Reasons to write a good requirements specification / System design review / Risk assessment form / Risk assessment worksheet / Warning signs that your software selection may have problems / Project reporting form / Project status report template