Written by Heather Cole, January 23rd, 2025
The Art of Requirements Discovery in 2025: Transforming Your Software Selection Process
For 30 years, I've been guiding clients through the labyrinth of software selection and implementation of planning and forecasting solutions. And let me tell you, the biggest, most frequent mistake I see is the assumption that requirements will magically define themselves as part of the project. Spoiler alert: they won't. Proper requirements discovery in 2025 is the MOST important part of the program. When done correctly, it ensures you select the right software, establish a realistic timeline, identify potential landmines, engage the right stakeholders, foster cross-departmental collaboration, and—most importantly—save a ton of money and time!
But here's the kicker: many consultants aren't even trained in requirements discovery. They show up expecting the client to know what they want, leading to the implementation of a new version of the old system. Sure, it might process faster, but it will never be transformational. To leverage technology for true transformation, you must pause and ask, "What are we really challenged with, and why is it important to change?" Be willing to try a completely different approach.
The Culture Clash
The process of requirements discovery isn't something people naturally know how to do. In fact, in the tech world, it goes against the grain of our historic culture, where we think we need to have all the answers as consultants. This year, companies that commit to training their people to ask the right questions and facilitate proper requirements discovery will be the ones that achieve the transformation they seek.
If you're an executive with project funding, ask yourself: did you fund training your people in facilitation and discovery? (And no, project management is different.) Just yesterday, I presented the art of requirements discovery to a huge technology company. Team members expressed their excitement about trying the new approaches they had learned. This was our inspiration!!! More to come on what we have planned….
The Excel to IBM Planning Analytics Journey
As an expert in revamping and creating updated planning and forecasting models for companies, it's especially interesting to see a new prospect wanting to upgrade from Excel to a more robust solution for planning and forecasting. They often want us to demo the software right away. When I explain that we won't demo until they've defined their requirements—because I don't want to waste their executive team's time—they're a little startled. Unfortunately, in our industry, it's very common, even for the largest companies, to demo without setting the clients up for success.
By pushing back on their request and showing them how to do requirements discovery, they are more likely to select the software that best meets their needs instead of the software that was demoed best. This ensures the long-term success of the investment in new technology and transformation initiatives. You don't have to hire expensive consulting firms to define your project requirements. You don’t need a fancy AI solution to help with requirements but some say that’s the future, and it probably is… For reference: The Coming AI Revolution In Requirements Gathering
But it’s amazing what can happen when you get the right stakeholders from the appropriate departments, a timer, and sticky notes together. It’s all you need!!! Add a common goal and definition of success and you are off and running.
See our earlier blogs on this topic:
Join Our Requirements Discovery in 2025 Webinar
I get that I make it sound simple. And it can be simple if you follow a simple Requirements Discovery Framework. After seeing how people at the big tech company responded to my presentation on Requirements Discovery, I knew we had to share this with more people. So, Lodestar Solutions will host a Requirements Discovery Webinar for a small group. Seating is limited so we can address the unique needs and questions of the participants. Woohoo we will offer CPE credits for this class!! If you're interested in getting on the waitlist for this event, email Services@Lodestarsolutions.com with the subject "Requirements Discovery List."
Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your software selection process and projects so that you can achieve the success you seek. Let's make 2025 the year of transformational change!
