Episode 26 - Driving Change With Effective POCs

Written By Stuart McIntosh

Proofs-of-Concepts (POCs) can often be viewed as a low-risk throw away exercise to test a new strategy or system, but you never really know if the move is going to payoff long-term. So what if you’re looking to replace your entire SIM or make a big shift in strategy? Beyond the significant investment of time and a huge amount of risk, how would you even design a POC to justify the shift?

However, we’ve been able to run POCs with clients that have shown significant value, before they spend the first dollar (As quick as 2 weeks). We’re not only finding the cracks, but demonstrating the efficacy of their strategy down the road. 

Join us for this episode where we give you permission to expect more from your POCs and share what we are seeing work with our clients.

Notes

Clear Expectations 

  • Agree on scope - necessity 

  • Detail – good 

  • “moving the goal post” - not good 

Collaborative 

  • Learning opportunity 

  • Reach but don’t punish 

  • Reduce your risk – increase your confidence 

Challenge the vendor to deliver 

  • cut down / eliminate  

    • “production guesses” 

    • “we’ll just have to see” 

    • “that’s coming soon” 

  • Document what is delivered  

  • Challenge your team to “be better” as well 

  • Make it easy for you to sell your leadership 

Stuart McIntosh
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Episode 25 - Excellence in IR