5 reasons why P.E.S.T.O. is key in writing an all-encompassing RFP

Prepare with our RFP template

Take a step back and review your organization and its market from a helicopter perspective. The quality of your RFP depends on the quality of your preparation. Our RFP template helps you to get started. The first step in determining your RFP content is deciding which strategy your organization will use for the software selection. The content for a technology-driven approach differs from a scope-driven approach. Ask your manager which plan fits your organization best. Ensure that you know which core competencies distinguish your company from its competitors and what the root cause is from the inefficiencies in your current processes. Understanding how business flows within your organization and supply chain is vital in determining what potential solution (and vendor) fits your organization. Identify the scope of your change project and how this aligns with your business goals. Remember that an RFP is more scope-specific than an RFI. When all expectations are clear, determine what information you want to request from your potential vendors.

Explain the Context

Just as in life, providing is equally important as receiving. It is evident that you want to obtain comprehensive information about potential vendors and their solution, but it is evenly important to explain the broad context. In determining if vendors’ answers can be of value to your organization, suppliers want to understand your company’s details. Besides your market and business problem, it is essential to explain your current IT landscape and how this must be changed to your future preferences. Do you want your solution to be cloud-hosted or on-premise? Which extensions should it support? Which additional systems should your solution be able to communicate with? Ensure that your vendors have all the information needed to determine the fit between your organization and their solution.

Sense the Technology

Exploring which technology suits your organization best is challenging on its own. Nevertheless, a seemingly perfect fit may be a paradox if the party that implements the solution does not match your company. Make sure to ask who will be responsible for the implementation. Ask if you can be provided with names and references. Try to understand what project methodology the implementation party will likely use. Identify how the implementing party controls risks throughout the project. Sense if all these answers are following your organization’s values to ensure a pleasant collaboration.

Time is on Your Side

Be strict on your time. Your organization’s change initiative is itself already a time-consuming project. You do not want to be delayed by (potentially useful) vendors that lack velocity. It is therefore wise to include your RFP procedure. Incorporate the issue date of your RFP, the deadline for questions and responses, and the due date that your company announces the shortlist. This helps you to focus on the more important matters.

Obtain Information

Nothing is more dramatic than not knowing the (financial) expectations. As a result, obtain information on your vendors’ Cost License Model. Include different tables in your RFP that your vendors must fill in, based on the type of deployment of their solution. These tables usually contain information about one-off investment and annual recurring costs. Furthermore, ask your vendors about the consultancy rates. Incorporating such elements in your RFP ensures that you will not be faced with financial setbacks.

Write your Request for Proposal using our RFP template

To wrap it up, the PESTO-method is a pragmatic and result-driven way to write a successful and complete RFP. Do you need help with writing your RFP? Download 2-cnnct’s RFP template from this page.