A well-crafted RFP attracts the right vendors and gets comparable proposals that make evaluation straightforward.

Tie to Outcomes

Clearly articulate what business outcomes you're trying to achieve. Successful vendors need to understand your context to propose effective solutions.

Demo Scripts

Provide use cases and scenario scripts for demonstrations. This ensures all vendors show functionality that matters to you, making side-by-side comparison possible.

Scoring Model

Weight evaluation criteria upfront. Be transparent about what matters most. Consider factors like price, functionality, support, roadmap, and cultural fit.

References

Ask for references with similar use cases, scale, and complexity. Talk to current customers to understand real-world experience beyond marketing claims.

Exit Clauses

Include clear exit clauses and data portability requirements. Understand the cost of switching vendors if you need to change direction in the future.