When clients are contemplating the purchase of a packaged software product, or the adaptation of an existing
software component to a particular purpose, Marathon can assist with this process through its Software Evaluation
service.
In many cases organizations will decide upon the purchase of a software product based upon somewhat limited
information. When the implementation process gets underway, they are faced with numerous surprises on everything
from functional gaps to hidden costs. Sometimes these surprises are so widespread and severe in nature that the
client abandons the implementation and their initial investment.
Marathon can help clients avoid these costly and highly visible disasters with a minimal investment.
One approach is to evaluate and comment upon the methodology used by the client staff to identify system
requirements, identify and evaluate the software vendors, and develop the rationale used to arrive at the purchase
decision.
These engagements are typically very short in duration, but add great value to the software purchase cycle. If
the methodology is found to be effective and no significant gaps exist, the client can move forward with a higher
degree of confidence. If the opposite is true, Marathon will recommend remedial steps for the client to execute.
When a client is considering adapting an existing software component to meet a particular purpose, Marathon can
execute a similar process to ensure that the client in on the right path.
Marathon first assists the client in clearly defining the entire set of requirements that must be met. This
initial set of requirements is then used as a basis to develop stakeholder consensus on the nature and scope of
the requirements.
Once the requirements consensus is developed, Marathon analyzes the software component to determine if its
adaptation is a sound solution. When evaluating the software, Marathon considers the software environment, the
nature of the code, its ease of modification, the existence of documentation, the ease with which it can be
effectively tested, and the effort and cost associated with supporting the software in the future.
These findings are documented and discussed with the Marathon team in order to eliminate “blind spots” and ensure
that all variables are considered. Following this team evaluation and critique, Marathon presents its findings
and recommendation to the client.
