System Selection Resource List
Want to know how to get the CRM you’ve always wanted? Start here. Browse our curated selection of system selection resources below.
VIDEO AND TEMPLATE RESOURCES
A great starting point would be our system selection webinar. If you missed it, you can watch and share the recording here.
Use our customizable Requirements Checklist Template to check all your bases on what is required of your next CRM.
RELATED BLOG POSTS
1. Finding the Perfect Fundraising Database in an Imperfect World (2008) by Robert Weiner
We strongly advise you to begin your system selection research with this overview. Use this information to guide the way you benchmark your organization and research prospective systems.
Start your process with benchmarking your organization. This report from 2017 will get you there.
3. A Consumers Guide to Low-Cost Donor Management Systems (2017) by Kyle Andrei
If you’re ready to begin comparing different low-cost systems, we recommend this report. However, we recommend you supplement this guide with more knowledge about what goes into low-cost systems (think: hidden fees buried in training costs).
Now, after evaluating your organization’s position and researching prospective systems, is a good time to double-check yourself. Here, Robert gives you the most common pitfalls that organizations make.
5. Organizational Readiness: The Five Cs (2018) by Donna Caputo
Before you begin sharing all of your hard work with the team, map out a bulletproof case for why your organization specifically is ready and in need of a new system. Use these tips as your guide.
6. How to Organize the Requirements List
We want to help, so here’s how we suggest you organize your requirements list. This format will help you know which requirements are most important, and who is best to evaluate the requirement during your system demos.
| Column Name | Description |
| ID | Unique ID assigned to each requirement |
| Priority | Required, Neutral, Wish List |
| Source | Origin/Source of the requirement |
| Type | System or Stakeholder |
| Category | General Area of Business (e.g. Donor Relations, Designations, Usability, etc.) |
| Subcategory | Specific Area of Business (e.g. Acknowledgments and Receipts, Alumni Campaigns, Interactions, etc.) |
| Subject | Subject Matter (e.g. alerts, coding, recognition, etc.) |
| User Story | Short descriptions of functionality told from the user’s perspective |
| Additional Details/Criteria | Additional information to supplement the user story and/or identified success criterions |
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If you have any questions about this process, JCA is happy to help.
SYSTEM SELECTION CONSULTING SERVICES
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