Module 4: How To Approach Buying New Technology

Selecting the right technology product and vendor partner is no easy feat. Today's higher education technology marketplace boasts hundreds of vendors and thousands of products to choose from. Add to that the diverse needs of your student body and the varying needs of your institution's departments, and the task of identifying the right solution can feel overwhelming. Additionally, compatibility with existing systems can be a challenge, and resource constraints often limit the options.

This module will provide you with practical insights and best practices to help you navigate this complex landscape, put together an effective procurement team and intentional procurement process, and ultimately support your institution’s efforts to find technology solutions that are aligned to your needs and mission.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What should an inclusive and effective procurement team look like, and why?

  • How do we clearly define what products/features we really need given our unique context and goals?

  • How do we prioritize our technology needs given limited resources?

  • How do we separate fact from fiction as we explore vendors and products?

  • What major variables should influence our product evaluation and selection?

 

Module 1 Contents and Resources:

Module 4.1: Starter Pack

Getting Started: How Should We Approach Buying New Technology

Module 4.2

Creating “User Stories” To Guide Procurement

Module 4.3

Check Your Basement: Avoiding Duplicative Technology

Module 4.4

How Can I Prioritize Competing Technology Needs?

Module 4.5

RFP 101: Getting Insight Without “Giving Away the Answers”

Module 4.6

Vendor Engagement Toolkit