Frequently Asked Questions

We analyse a comprehensive range of strategic planning software solutions, including enterprise strategy management platforms, business planning tools, performance management systems, scenario planning software, and integrated strategic planning suites. Our analysis covers both cloud-based and on-premise solutions from established vendors as well as emerging innovative platforms.

We evaluate platforms across various price points and complexity levels, from solutions suitable for mid-sized organisations to enterprise-grade systems designed for large multinational corporations.

While we don't directly implement software, we provide comprehensive implementation planning and support services. This includes developing detailed implementation roadmaps, change management strategies, training programme design, and project oversight guidance.

We also maintain relationships with trusted implementation partners and can recommend experienced consultants who specialise in the specific platform you choose. Our role is to ensure your implementation project starts with a solid foundation and clear success criteria.

Yes, migration planning is an important part of our service offering. We assess your current system's data structure, identify migration challenges, and develop strategies for smooth data transition. Our analysis includes evaluating each platform's migration tools and import capabilities.

We also help you plan for process changes during migration and develop strategies to minimise disruption to your ongoing strategic planning activities.

The duration depends on the scope of your evaluation and the complexity of your requirements. A focused evaluation of 3-5 platforms typically takes 4-6 weeks, while a comprehensive assessment including detailed vendor due diligence can take 8-12 weeks.

Our Essential Analysis package usually completes within 3-4 weeks, whilst our Comprehensive Evaluation package takes 6-8 weeks. We provide detailed project timelines during our initial consultation based on your specific needs.

Our methodology combines quantitative scoring with qualitative assessment across multiple dimensions: functionality, usability, integration capabilities, vendor stability, total cost of ownership, scalability, and support quality.

We begin with requirements gathering, then conduct platform demonstrations, reference checks, and detailed feature analysis. Each platform is scored against your specific criteria, and we provide weighted recommendations based on your priorities.

Absolutely. Stakeholder involvement is crucial for successful software selection. We conduct workshops with your key users, facilitate vendor demonstrations, and gather feedback throughout the process. Your team's input ensures our recommendations align with actual user needs and organisational culture.

We typically involve strategic planning leaders, IT stakeholders, and end users at different stages of the evaluation to ensure comprehensive perspective and buy-in for the final recommendation.

We maintain complete independence from all software vendors and receive no commissions, referral fees, or other incentives that could influence our recommendations. Our revenue comes solely from client fees for our analysis services.

Our evaluation methodology is standardised and transparent, with clear scoring criteria applied consistently across all platforms. We document our assessment process and provide detailed rationale for all recommendations.

Our pricing is project-based and depends on the scope of analysis required. We offer three main service packages: Essential Analysis for focused evaluations, Comprehensive Evaluation for thorough assessments, and End-to-End Partnership for complete support through implementation.

We provide fixed-price quotes based on your specific requirements, ensuring transparency and predictable costs. All pricing is discussed and agreed upon before work begins, with no hidden fees or surprises.

Yes, we tailor our services to match organisational needs and complexity. Smaller organisations might benefit from our Essential Analysis package, whilst larger enterprises often require our Comprehensive Evaluation or End-to-End Partnership services.

We also adjust our analysis depth and vendor selection based on organisation size, budget constraints, and complexity requirements. Our goal is to provide valuable insights regardless of your organisation's scale.

Each package includes different levels of service. Essential Analysis covers platform evaluation, comparison reports, and recommendations. Comprehensive Evaluation adds requirements analysis, vendor assessment, and implementation planning. End-to-End Partnership includes ongoing support, training development, and change management guidance.

All packages include detailed documentation, stakeholder presentations, and follow-up support during your decision-making process. We can also customise packages to meet specific needs.

We evaluate integration capabilities through multiple lenses: API availability and documentation, pre-built connectors, data import/export formats, single sign-on support, and real-time vs. batch integration options. We also assess the technical complexity and resource requirements for different integration approaches.

Our analysis includes reviewing integration architecture, security protocols, and the vendor's track record with similar integrations in your technology environment.

Security and compliance are critical evaluation criteria. We assess data encryption, access controls, audit trails, backup procedures, and compliance certifications (such as GDPR, SOC 2, ISO 27001). We also evaluate the vendor's security track record and incident response procedures.

For European organisations, we pay particular attention to data residency requirements, privacy controls, and GDPR compliance features.

We evaluate scalability across multiple dimensions: user capacity, data volume handling, performance under load, geographic distribution capabilities, and feature extensibility. We also assess the vendor's infrastructure architecture and their experience supporting large-scale deployments.

Our analysis includes understanding licensing models, infrastructure requirements, and cost implications as your usage grows over time.