An overview of this infoKit is available in either multimedia format (requires sound) or static html.

A version of this infoKit is available for download as a printable version in pdf format. (The Adobe Acrobat Reader to allow viewing of pdf files is available for download here).

Introduction

A brief scan of any of the special interest group mailing lists reveals that at any one time a sizeable percentage of the UK's colleges and universities are somewhere in the process of selecting a new system for one or more of their core processes, whether this is to support business, learning, teaching or research functions. Analysis of the market also shows that there is a considerable range of software and software bundles in use.

System change is often prompted by seemingly insoluble problems with existing hardware and software and is often unwelcome both to those who have to cope with it and those who have to fund it. One of the themes running through many of the JISC infoNet infoKits is the opportunity afforded by system change to add value to the business of teaching, learning and research. This depends, of course, on selecting the right system in the first place.

This infoKit offers a model approach to choosing a new software system. The model is a generic one applicable to any type of application and any scale of implementation. We identify components which are key to the approach and others which are optional and generally suitable only in very large scale or costly projects. The model was adapted by JISC infoNet from commercial selection models and has been used successfully by a number of institutions.

As with most of the JISC infoNet components, this infoKit assumes that system selection is being approached as a project and that some form of formal project management framework is in place. We have a full infoKit available on Project Management.