Learn whether a POC is right for you, define success criteria, and discover efficient approaches for evaluating solutions with expert guidance.
Published by
Hayley Hoffman
Published on
January 9, 2025
JTVCYXV0aG9yX2luZm8lNUQ=Making an important purchase always involves an element of uncertainty. For example, you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, right? When it comes to significant long-term investments—like supply chain design solutions—it’s essential to build trust in your decision before committing. But how do you gain confidence that you’re choosing the right vendor? This is where a proof of concept (POC) comes in. Much like a test drive, a POC allows you to see if your prospective solution truly delivers on its promises. However, rushing into a POC without a clear roadmap can lead to wasted time, unmet expectations, and frustration. To help you determine if a POC is the right approach and how to make the most of it, let’s walk through four critical questions you need to address.
Before jumping into a POC project, it’s crucial to define your purpose. Start by collaborating with your procurement team to understand your organization's buying process. What requirements must be met to make a decision? Ask yourself, "Why do we need a POC?"Here are some common reasons organizations pursue POCs:
This exercise is also an opportunity to assess if a POC is truly necessary. If your goals could be achieved through alternative methods—such as product demos or trial accounts—you may save time by skipping this step.
A common pitfall in POCs is a mismatch between expectations and outcomes. Misaligned success criteria can lead to frustration on both sides. Without clarity, efforts can feel like practicing for a piano recital only to discover the event expects a violin concerto—a scenario no one wants. To avoid this, clearly define your success metrics and expectations from the beginning. Start by identifying:
For example, you might test the software by:
Document these criteria and share them with all stakeholders, including the vendor, to ensure alignment. This clarity will make it easier to track progress and objectively evaluate results.
Surprisingly, “POC” can mean different things to different teams. Some organizations envision it as an interactive trial account, while others see it as a business case proving measurable ROI. Getting clarity on what “POC” means to your organization—and to the vendor—is vital. Consider these varying approaches:
Start by focusing on the highest priority use cases. Work with your vendor to determine if pre-configured models or data templates can speed up the POC process. Remember, not all evaluations require a full-scale POC—there are often smaller, more efficient alternatives that can provide the insights you need.
POCs aren’t simple plug-and-play projects—they require time, effort, and collaboration from both your team and the vendor. Be realistic about the resources you can dedicate while managing your daily responsibilities. From our experience, a comprehensive POC typically requires:
Don’t have the bandwidth for a full effort? Consider scaled-down POC options, such as:
By customizing the scope of your POC to suit your time and priorities, you can still gain meaningful insights without overextending your team.
Investing in a supply chain design solution is a high-stakes decision that requires careful evaluation. While it can be tempting to jump straight into a POC, taking the time to define your "why" first can save you frustration and resources down the line. Here’s a quick recap:
By sharing these insights with your vendor, you can tailor your evaluation approach for success. The right provider will act as a partner, working closely with you from the start to meet your criteria and deliver confidence in your decision.
Is your organization ready to test-drive a supply chain design solution? Start exploring a quick and efficient option with our Hop Through Template Model.
JTVCYXV0aG9yX2luZm8lNUQ=Making an important purchase always involves an element of uncertainty. For example, you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, right? When it comes to significant long-term investments—like supply chain design solutions—it’s essential to build trust in your decision before committing. But how do you gain confidence that you’re choosing the right vendor? This is where a proof of concept (POC) comes in. Much like a test drive, a POC allows you to see if your prospective solution truly delivers on its promises. However, rushing into a POC without a clear roadmap can lead to wasted time, unmet expectations, and frustration. To help you determine if a POC is the right approach and how to make the most of it, let’s walk through four critical questions you need to address.
Before jumping into a POC project, it’s crucial to define your purpose. Start by collaborating with your procurement team to understand your organization's buying process. What requirements must be met to make a decision? Ask yourself, "Why do we need a POC?"Here are some common reasons organizations pursue POCs:
This exercise is also an opportunity to assess if a POC is truly necessary. If your goals could be achieved through alternative methods—such as product demos or trial accounts—you may save time by skipping this step.
A common pitfall in POCs is a mismatch between expectations and outcomes. Misaligned success criteria can lead to frustration on both sides. Without clarity, efforts can feel like practicing for a piano recital only to discover the event expects a violin concerto—a scenario no one wants. To avoid this, clearly define your success metrics and expectations from the beginning. Start by identifying:
For example, you might test the software by:
Document these criteria and share them with all stakeholders, including the vendor, to ensure alignment. This clarity will make it easier to track progress and objectively evaluate results.
Surprisingly, “POC” can mean different things to different teams. Some organizations envision it as an interactive trial account, while others see it as a business case proving measurable ROI. Getting clarity on what “POC” means to your organization—and to the vendor—is vital. Consider these varying approaches:
Start by focusing on the highest priority use cases. Work with your vendor to determine if pre-configured models or data templates can speed up the POC process. Remember, not all evaluations require a full-scale POC—there are often smaller, more efficient alternatives that can provide the insights you need.
POCs aren’t simple plug-and-play projects—they require time, effort, and collaboration from both your team and the vendor. Be realistic about the resources you can dedicate while managing your daily responsibilities. From our experience, a comprehensive POC typically requires:
Don’t have the bandwidth for a full effort? Consider scaled-down POC options, such as:
By customizing the scope of your POC to suit your time and priorities, you can still gain meaningful insights without overextending your team.
Investing in a supply chain design solution is a high-stakes decision that requires careful evaluation. While it can be tempting to jump straight into a POC, taking the time to define your "why" first can save you frustration and resources down the line. Here’s a quick recap:
By sharing these insights with your vendor, you can tailor your evaluation approach for success. The right provider will act as a partner, working closely with you from the start to meet your criteria and deliver confidence in your decision.
Is your organization ready to test-drive a supply chain design solution? Start exploring a quick and efficient option with our Hop Through Template Model.
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