The Impact of Neglecting Software Assessment in your Technology Stack
Software assessment is often overlooked. Companies place great emphasis on ensuring their teams operate with clarity and purpose. Every employee’s performance is often meticulously scrutinized against preset goals and objectives. We recognize the importance of aligning human capital with a company’s vision, but is this scrutiny equally applied to our technology decisions?
Sadly, the answer is often no.
It is important to prioritize software assessment and quality assurance activities to mitigate the impacts. Regular testing, evaluation, and feedback loops with stakeholders and software vendors can help identify and address issues early on, leading to improved software quality, performance, and customer satisfaction.
Technology Tech Stack Neglect: Bridging the Gap Between Employee Evaluation and Software Assessment
When we hire employees, we invest significant resources in onboarding, training, and continuous evaluation to ensure they add value to the company. We set KPIs, conduct regular reviews, and provide feedback loops.
However, regarding our technology stack, particularly software, the same rigor is rarely applied. Once software is purchased and integrated, its ongoing assessment can become an afterthought, even though its impact on operational efficiency can be as significant as any team member’s.
Why the Discrepancy?
There are a few reasons why software might not be held to the same standards as human employees:
Perceived Inflexibility: Once a technology solution is integrated, there’s a notion that it’s too costly or complex to change, leading to complacency.
Lack of Clear Metrics: With human performance, metrics are often clear-cut. However, evaluating software ROI can be more nebulous without the right tools.
The ‘Set It and Forget It’ Mentality: Unlike employees who need constant engagement, software can run in the background, leading to a misconception that it doesn’t need regular checks.
Ensuring Accountability: Setting Expectations for Software Vendors
Just as you would with an employee, it’s essential to establish clear expectations and accountability measures for your software. Here’s how:
Set Clear Goals: Before integrating a new software solution, define what success looks like. What challenges should the software address, and what metrics will indicate its effectiveness?
Regular Evaluations: Use tools like Olive to assess the performance and value addition of your software regularly. This helps in understanding its ongoing relevance and efficiency.
Feedback Loop with Vendors: Engage in open communication with your software vendors. Share your findings, provide feedback, and discuss any necessary improvements or changes.
Flexibility in Contracts: Instead of locking your company into long-term contracts, opt for flexible agreements that allow regular assessments and changes if the software doesn’t meet expectations.
Benchmarking: Just as you would compare an employee’s performance against industry standards, benchmark your software against competitors to ensure you get the best ROI.
Success through Software Accountability and Value-Driven Decisions
Software, much like our human resources, plays a pivotal role in the success and growth of a company. By applying the same rigor and scrutiny to our technology stack as we do to our human capital, we ensure that every aspect of our business is optimized, accountable, and driving value.
At Olive, we’re committed to providing tools that help companies make informed IT decisions, ensuring that your software is as accountable and valuable as every team member.
