Enterprise Integration Toolkit: Preparation

Systems Integration | Preparation

The work done up front in preparing for the acquisition of systems integration services will help ensure that the best integration partner is selected.

| | Steps
	Step	Tools
1	Gather and report lessons learned to date 4 Lessons learned from activities and steps of the previous phase should be gathered from key project participants.	Process for gathering and reporting lessons learned
2	Schedule Activities and Gather Tools 4 Define and manage sequence of acquisition activities and timeline for each based on acquisition strategy previously defined during Initiation stage. Gather all related input documents. Identify tools and templates required for completing SI acquisition deliverables.	Sample SI Acquisition Phase Task Plan
3	Determine if Third Party Expert Needed 4 Evaluate internal team skills against requisite skills to identify gaps and determine level of assistance needed from an outside expert	Project Roles and Responsibilities Guide Roles and Responsibilities - Level of Involvement
3a	Engage 3rd Party if Needed 4 If third party is required, competitively engage a proven, independent third party that fills the gap in skills & experience. Independence should be demonstrated by having no vested interest in the work to be awarded.
4	Identify team 4 Inventory team members needed to conduct the acquisition of Systems Integration Services. Commence efforts to organize & recruit team.	Project Roles and Responsibilities Guide Roles and Responsibilities - Level of Involvement
5	Gather Systems Integration Related Contract Info 4 Evaluate Systems Integration Contract alternatives, GSA and other contract vehicle alternatives.	Link to Seven Steps to Performance Based Services Acquisition RICE Contract Process ASAP Activities and Deliverables Sample Sample Education and Training Tools
6	Team Kick-off 4 Hold SI acquisition kick-off meeting.
7	Revise Mid-level Requirements 4 Update architecture products as required based on information gathered during the software selection process (OVs, SVs, and TVs as appropriate). If your selected approach uses an RFP rather than a statement of objectives, Use information gathered during the software selection process to further refine and clarify requirements to attach to the SI RFP.
8	Identify Potential Vendors 4 Develop initial list of systems integrators through various techniques such as RFI, Web research, references from package vendor and other sources
9	Establish Evaluation Factors Matrix 4 Establish initial list of evaluation criteria and weightings	SI Vendor Initial Evaluation Matrix
10	Conduct initial vendor research 4 Evaluate initial list of vendors against evaluation factors defined in Step 8.
11	Determine Initial Bidders 4 Develop the list of SI's you plan to send the RFP/SOO to based on previously established evaluation criteria and research	SI Bidder Qualification Checklist