You have been researching electronic systems that satisfy the needs of the users. You followed the "Research " you learned from a previous topic/learning.

You Identified the problem/need and have translated them into a User Requirements Document and Gantt Chart.

You then created research search criteria so as to seek out IT solutions that as closely as possible map to your requirements, to refine your requirements, and ultimately to cast a "wide net" searching the internet for solutions.

You then reviewed your results and, this time, you focused your search more narrowly and went back to the internet for further refined searching. Hopefully, you found some solutions that match your requirements. You might have performed a literary search, spoke with a research librarian or two, talked with some companies who may have experienced a similar need.

In other words, you may have narrowed your search key words in order to better describe your needs and find a comparable solution. Many times it is much more expensive building a solution than buying one -- even buying and modifying a solution is less expensive. I would suggest you bias yourself by assuming the problem/opportunity you have has already been solved by others!

Referencing the Research example once again, in Step 4, you compared the results of your research to the user requirements. You have probably discovered some promising solutions that may map to varying degrees to your user requirements. You will now need to execute Step 5 - Select your solution! Once you have compared the various company's software to your internal user requirements, you will be able to, with confidence, select an appropriate software solution!

Do you want a little help making a decision about which research solution to select? The following tool was developed in Microsoft Excel so you can easily modify the tool and "tune" it for each unique activity. This tool supports, in part, Steps 4 and 5 in the "Research examlpe" you learned earlier. THIS TOOL DOES NOT REPLACE YOUR DECISION MAKING!

It is simply one data point for you to reference in support of your decision making as it pertains to mapping a new system to the user requirements. A system may not, in the end, exist -- and you may have to build the solution. Your options are to buy an off-the-shelf solution, buy and modify, or build.

To help you with comparing existing solutions, open and download the "Selecting BEST Solution" tool now, and download it to your computer.

The following directions address how to to use this tool in producing a "Recommendations Report."

This tool provides one point of reference assisting you in making your decision as to which alternative solution is the best. The alternative solutions are the result of your research (refer to the Research example) previously conducted leading to a possible candidate solution.

This tool, used in conjunction with other qualitative and quantitative analysis,will help you achieve a defensible recommendation. This tool will provide a valuable recommended solution. This tool supports both project-based teams and individual activities.

Review the following, apply the tool and produce and submit your "Recommendation's Report" in the IT Solution Drop Box.

Review the criteria. Change, add, and/or delete to the criteria. Use the User Requirements, Block Diagram, input to your research, etc. previously identified.

Review, for understanding, the Scoring Legend. If necessary, modify the Scoring Legend and change the tool.

Complete the "Company and Solution" information at the top of the tool.

For each alternative Company's Solution identified from the research, evaluate and score the solution using the Scoring Legend. Keep notes as to why you scored as you did.

Once completed, the Recommendation Report is to be drafted and submitted.

The report consists of the following sections:

Purpose of the Research Activity,

Research Team (who participated on the team - and what each team member did),

Research Methodology (a description of the research methodology applied - each step in in the Research example

Research Findings (the company's and their solutions; the criteria used, the evaluation results supported with comments). You can attach the scoring file to your report.

Recommendation (includes the "Selecting BEST Solution Tool" results, and results of other techniques deployed.)