Challenge 8: Conduct a Weighted-Point Evaluation

Conduct a Weighted-Point Evaluation

Purpose:

The weighted-point evaluation method is a product comparison tool that uses key criteria of predetermined importance to evaluate competing products or services and arrive at a numerical score, which is then used as the basis for product selection. As noted in the text, this method is helpful for making objective decisions about products, services, and vendors. It is also a helpful method for prioritizing work. If for example, you manage a team of software developers, you may need to make decisions about what features to place on your development roadmap. A weighted-point evaluation can help you make these decisions objectively. Project managers often use weighted-point evaluations when managing projects.

The purpose of this challenge is to analyze business need and compare technology products using a weighted-point evaluation in order to make objective decisions.

Skills:

This challenge helps you practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course, in this field, and in professional life beyond school:

• Examine technology products and features that can solve problems and key business needs
• Classify features by priority for the unique needs of an organization
• Evaluate technology products using objective measures
• Summarize and communicate key findings

Knowledge:

This challenge will also help you become familiar with the following important content knowledge in this discipline:

• Research products/solutions/features
• Compare similar products
• Analyze business needs
• Make objective decisions
• Prioritize business needs

Task:

1. Read the following Case Study:

Web Conferencing Software for Initech

Initech is a technology consulting firm with over 500 employees. While Initech is a firm specializing in technology solutions, staff consist of a mix of both technical and non-technical employees. Recently, the company has been forced to move their operations out of the physical office building and employees are working remotely from their homes. In order to maintain business operations, the employees have been relying on web conferencing software to conduct meetings with fellow employees, as well as clients. The company has not adopted a single solution company-wide up to this point. Instead, individual departments selected and purchased licenses for their respective teams. The recent shift to virtual operations has placed additional strain on the service desk that is responsible for supporting employees working remotely. It has become overwhelmingly difficult to support the multiple web conferencing products in use across the organization.

Initech's IT Service Desk Operation Manager would like you to investigate the characteristics of web conferencing software. She has asked you to design a spreadsheet with evaluation criteria for selecting a new product that can be adopted across the organization. Criteria should meet the need of employees as well as assist the service desk with providing better support. Develop criteria to evaluate possible solutions and provide a summary for the Operation Manager explaining why you believe your choice would be the best option.

2. Conduct a product evaluation using the weighted-point method:

1. Research evaluation criteria that should be considered to meet Initech's needs.
2. Develop a list of at least four evaluation criteria.
   • One criterion should be cost. Other examples might focus on features, ease of use, etc.
   • Use your research and what you learned from the case to determine the criteria that should be considered.
3. Choose some weights for each criterion.
   • Based on the information in the case, what criteria is most important?
4. Place your criteria and weights in a spreadsheet or table.
5. Research a couple of web conferencing solutions (Zoom, Webex, etc.) and fill in as much of the spreadsheet as you can.
   • How well does each solution score for each product?

3. Compose a summary of your recommendation:

Based on the results of your evaluation, summarize which product you would recommend to the manager. Explain why you believe your choice would be the best option.

Include both the summary and the evaluation spreadsheet in your submission.

Challenge 8 Template

Criteria for Success:

Your performance on this challenge will be evaluated and assessed based on the following criteria:

• Critical thinking: Your response to the challenge prompt is thorough, thoughtful, and insightful.
• Connecting ideas: You make a clear connection between the challenge prompt and the module content.
• Organization: You present your response in a logical and interesting sequence that is easy to follow.
• Stylistics: Your response demonstrates professional writing skills with minimal grammatical or stylistic errors.
• Citations: You cite sources used from your research.