The case against canned RFI/RFPs

Added By Tony Byrne at 6-Dec-2005 | Twitter: @TonyByrne |

CMS vendor Percussion is beating the drums again about its free Request for Information template. I have one piece of advice: don't use it. Every other vendor has seen it and will think the project is hardwired for Percussion. Of course, nearly every other vendor also distributes their own canned RFPs, albeit more subtly. (Well, not always subtle...consider the file I saw recently, titled "RedDot Centric RFP"...though I guess that's being honest!) The use of canned RFPs might help explain this common lament from buyers: "I sent an RFP to a dozen vendors and only 2 responded!" In addition to being very busy, vendors are also very suspicious. So if your competition is truly open -- and it should be -- don't suggest otherwise by starting with a canned template. Instead, challenge vendors with real narratives, and use your own voice for your own best solution. And if you're looking to start from a good short-list, consult Alan Pelz-Sharpe's fine article on the subject.

Categories: Tony Byrne, Web Content Management, Marketplace at Large, Selecting Technology, Rhythmyx, Web Solutions