What Key Factor Should Be Considered When Recommending Technology Solutions?
To help you make informed recommendations for technology solutions, we asked CTOs and CEOs for their expert insights. From prioritizing scalability for long-term success to evaluating ROI, here are the top seven factors these professionals consider when advising stakeholders.
- Prioritize Scalability for Long-Term Success
- Consider Adoption Cost for Stakeholders
- Ensure Alignment with Business Goals
- Understand Stakeholders' Specific Needs
- Focus on Improving Conversion Rates
- Evaluate Business Benefit and ROI
- Trust Above All Other Factors
Prioritize Scalability for Long-Term Success
When recommending technology solutions to stakeholders, a key factor I always consider is scalability. Here's why:
Scalability determines how well a system can handle growth—in users, data, or functionality. I learned its importance early on when we had to rebuild an AI platform because it couldn't handle increased data and models. It was a costly lesson that taught me to always prioritize scalability.
When evaluating scalability, I focus on:
1. Performance under load
2. Resource efficiency
3. Data scalability
4. Functional scalability
I also consider the cost implications of scaling. A cheaper upfront solution might become more expensive if it doesn't scale well.
While factors like security and usability are crucial, scalability is often overlooked. Yet, it can make or break a solution's long-term success.
When presenting to stakeholders, I explain scalability in relatable terms: 'This solution will meet our current needs and grow with us. We won't need to replace it when our user base triples.'
Recommending a scalable solution is about thinking long-term and setting the organization up for success. It's about building a foundation that can support growth and change.
In the AI and data world, where information volume and complexity are constantly increasing, scalability is a must-have. It ensures that our technology investments continue to deliver value as the business evolves.
At Revca, we learned this lesson when building our AI platform. Initially focusing on getting models running quickly, we soon faced performance issues as we added more models and data. We had to pause development to refactor our infrastructure for better scalability.
Scalability also impacts user experience. A system that slows down under heavy load can frustrate users and damage reputation. Prioritizing scalability ensures maintained performance as demand grows.
Moreover, scalable solutions often lead to long-term cost savings by reducing the need for frequent overhauls or replacements.
In conclusion, while many factors matter when recommending technology solutions, scalability is critical for long-term success and value. It's an investment in the future that pays off in performance, user satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness.
Consider Adoption Cost for Stakeholders
As a tech professional, I always prioritize my stakeholders. I make sure to explain any suggestion I make clearly to them. That's the same when recommending technology solutions. One key factor is making them aware of the 'adoption cost.'
Assessing the costs and workload required to implement a technology before choosing it is always essential. This factor is always good when recommending technology solutions to clients. It helps me and my stakeholders to avoid the afterburn.
Ensure Alignment with Business Goals
I like to start fairly high-level, which means checking for overall alignment with business goals before we get into the nitty-gritty on whether it will work with their legacy systems. I don't really want to try to sell something that isn't going to align with business objectives because that's a good way to get a one-time buy and then never get any further business. The technology must support the organization's strategic objectives, enhancing efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness while being easy to use and integrate. I evaluate whether the solution integrates seamlessly with existing systems and processes, ensuring minimal disruption while providing measurable improvements that directly contribute to achieving the company’s vision.
Understand Stakeholders' Specific Needs
For me, it always comes down to understanding the specific needs and goals of the stakeholders involved. There's no one-size-fits-all solution in the tech world, so it's crucial to have a deep understanding of what the organization or individual is trying to achieve. This could range from improving efficiency and productivity to enhancing security or meeting specific compliance requirements.
By taking the time to truly listen and understand the unique context, I can tailor recommendations that not only address their immediate concerns but also align with their long-term vision. It's about finding the right tool for the right job, not just pushing the latest-and-greatest technology.
Focus on Improving Conversion Rates
When recommending technology solutions to stakeholders, I always prioritize how the solution will impact conversion rates. For example, during a project with an e-commerce client, I suggested implementing a new A/B testing tool. The tool allowed us to run multiple tests simultaneously, providing data-driven insights on customer behavior. We discovered that simplifying the checkout process significantly increased conversions. By sharing these tangible results with stakeholders, they could see the direct benefit of the technology investment. It's crucial to focus on solutions that can demonstrably improve user experience and drive measurable business outcomes, making stakeholders more likely to support and adopt the technology.
Evaluate Business Benefit and ROI
Matching a client with the right technology solution is no simple task. There are many factors to consider, such as business benefit, ROI, cost of implementation, and scalability. Right now, companies are concerned about their bottom line, and rightfully so. So, any associated cost of support, maintenance, or operation is also important.
Trust Above All Other Factors
Technology professionals, as a general rule, consider several factors when recommending solutions: functional (meets requirements), financial (meets budget), and strategic (meets partnership goals). The one key factor that overwhelms any other factor is TRUST. Do I trust that the sales team understands the business enough to recommend the right product? Do I trust that vendor's ability to solve potential problems proactively, and will they be there to support me when the inevitable roadblocks occur? Do I trust that the vendor leadership considers me an important enough customer to innovate jointly?
