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VENDOR CHALLENGES
What is a Vendor Challenge?
A vendor challenge is a very practical way to address the blockages that prevent deployment of a new technology, and in the context of work within The Open Group, this means the deployment of a new standards-based technology.
The whole project is completed within the context of a very specific problem reported by one or more IT user organizations. This is important because it demonstrates to product vendors that there is a ready market for a solution to the problem, and encourages their active participation.
A vendor challenge is based around a SMART objective.
It is as SPECIFIC as possible. The key to a succesful challenge project is to define the characteristics of the desired solution as narrowly as possible.
It is MEASURABLE. It defines what must be done to demonstrate success and the value of the solution to the organizations who identified the problem.
It is ACTIONABLE. It is clear who needs to do what in order to put in place the solution.
It is REALISTIC. What is being asked for must be achievable within the likely constraints of time, resource and technology.
It is TIMEBOUND. There needs to be a clear statement of when the solution is needed.
How does a Vendor Challenge work?
A user organization or group of organizations identify a real and specific problem that is proving to be a barrier to enabling the organization(s) achieve their strategic objectives.
The problem is described in the form of Business Scenario which defines the problem, the results of succesful execution and constraints on the solution.
Vendors who have or are developing relevant products are invited to accept the challenge of demonstrating an acceptable solution to the problem within a specified time scale.
If one or more vendors accept the challenge, the Forum will provide a supporting infrastructure.
On completion, the vendors come together to demonstrate the solution.
What happens next?
The results of a Vendor challenge are typically embodied in prototype versions of software that are demonstrable but not necessarily product quality. Following a Vendor Challenge there is focus on
Documenting and publicizing the results, typically through the production of a report
Gaining consensus around any standards that have emerged as a result of the project
Ensuring that the results are deployed in commercial products. Certification programs are a valuable approach to ensure that the results are productized in a consistent manner and any interoperability demonstrated is retained in commercial product versions of the technology.
What is a Vendor Challenge?
How does a Vendor Challenge work?
What happens next?
Case Studies