Original Thinking

Creating an RFP for Outsourcing - Resources

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:54:45 GMT

Continuing the review of setting the RFP... I'm talking about the template I published (here). Today we'll discuss resoruces.

Normally when this topic comes up, I naturally think about people (human resoruces). But I think that's a bit narrow in scope for the RFP. It's a good idea to expand this out into a broader look at resources.

Of course, let's st

Creating an RFP for Outsourcing - Functional Overview

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:54:25 GMT

The last couple times we looked at the RFP process, I focused on explaining the project bacground. After 3 posts, we finally completed that section. This time we'll leap ahead to section 4 of the template (here), and start looking at the Functional Overview.

I think it goes without saying that you have to provide some kind of functional overview if

Building an RFP for Outsourcing - Share the project background part 3

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:42:28 GMT

The last couple times we looked at the RFP process, I focused on explaining the project bacground. Turns out I had a lot more to say about this than I expected, so we only got into a few of the important items. Once again we'll stay in section 3 of the template (here), and keep looking at the kind of general information that makes a difference.

The

Building an RFP for Outsourcing - Share the project background part 2

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:35:46 GMT

Last time we looked at the RFP process, I focused on explaining the project bacground. Turns out I had a lot more to say about this than I expected, so we only got into a few of the important items. This episode we'll say in section 3 of the template (here), and keep looking at the kind of background that makes a difference.

This time I want to dig

Building an RFP for Outsourcing - Share the project background part 1

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:19:31 GMT

Last time we looked at the RFP process, I focused on setting the terms & conditions. Moving on to section 3 of the template (here), I want to talk today about the kinds of general information that you provide to your vendors when it comes to setting up your RFP.

It goes without saying that any participating vendors only know what you tell them.

Building an RFP for Outsourcing - Set your Terms

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:46:39 GMT

Last time we looked at the RFP process, I focused on the schedule of events. Moving on to section 2 of the template (here), I want to talk today about terms and condiditions.

Within the template, I've laid out 3 major categories of terms

Payment Terms
Ownership of Deliverables

Building an RFP for Outsourcing - Set a Schedule of Events

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:52:02 GMT

A step-by-step look at generating an RFP. This post looks at setting the events of the proposal - what makes sense and what kinds of timelines to attach.

Outsourcing made simple

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:43:41 GMT

Over the last couple months, there has been a huge run on my Software Outsourcing RFP Template You Can Download for Free post. I know this is so because every day I get requests to access the actual template on Google Docs. This tells me that there is an appetite for doing this kind of work.

So I want to start a series to ta

Software Outsourcing RFP Template You Can Download for Free

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:04:35 GMT

Today I want to offer a tool to everyone who is moving down the path of outsourcing some aspect of their software development function. I've posted a template of the RFP that I used out on Google Docs that you can download and customize to fit your needs.

When I started off with the whole RFP process, I had a decent idea of what I wanted in the RFP doc and a really good idea of what I didn't want. But ideas translate into documents only with a great deal of

Digital Marketing for Job Searchers

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 11:49:02 GMT

I'm back in the Job Search market and share what I think are important and emerging trends in marketing myself to potential opportunities.

Do you really want to disrupt TV?

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:00:01 GMT

Do you really want to turn the TV industry upside down? Dump the traditional Cable/Satellite delivery model and get your shows off the internet?

I admit, the idea sounds interesting. Every month as I pay my cable bill, I have to wonder if I'm really getting value for the money, or if I'm just throwing away a big wad every month? It's a question that flickers through my brain probably once per week.

It struck me the other day how

Why Steve Jobs "Eureka" for TV doesn't matter

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:00:01 GMT

Before he died, Steve Jobs famously said that he had cracked the code for a new TV user interface that was superior to whatever we have now.

That doesn't matter.

I know that Applle likes to innovate and lead with hardware. Release a consumer device that captures the market and changes the rules. Then build out the eco-system to lock it all in (and sell more hardware).

Think about it...

Can Apple really change the TV industry?

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:00:01 GMT

Apple upended the music industry. Lately they've been challenging Amazon in the book business (pending the final resolution of the DoJ charges of collusion). Can they do the same to television?

I know a lot of people would love the answer to be YES! I'm even in this group. I had a serious discussion with my wife about budgeting to buy one of the fabled "iTV's" when it was reported to come out later this year.

But I do

Evaluating Change in Media Consumption: Subtractive Change

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:00:01 GMT

Last week I predicted that over the next 2 years we would experience a surge of Additive Change - new options - in how we watch TV. I already see it happening in the way that content is being delivered today. But this change won't disrupt any of the existing major players in the content delivery system.

Last week I also introduced the term "Subtractive Change". This is what happens when change happens by removing components or players from the system.

Evaluating Change in Media Consumption: Additive Change

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:00:01 GMT

Yesterday, I coined 2 new terms: Additive Change and Subtractive Change. The more I've thought about these the more I think I see a really interesting pattern emerging.

In the course of change, there is a natural flow that I would expect to see.

Start with a system. I've been talking about the system whereby consumers access and view video content. Content Creators generate that content (whether it be tv shows or sporting e