Five Pitfalls to Avoid in Your NextGen 5.9/8.4 EHR Upgrade | Part 4

#4: Thinking DIY is Less Expensive and Better

Now that we covered planning, testing, and communication, let’s take a peek into pitfall #4: thinking DIY is less expensive and better than relying on a partner for your NextGen upgrade.

Obviously, we have a perspective that generally favors the partner approach. But each situation is unique. Sometimes DIY is indeed the better path. Sometimes using a third-party partner is a better path. Nonetheless, it’s always prudent to objectively evaluate and compare DIY to Partner. Don’t just take my word for it, consider what Sir Winston Churchill said about evaluation…

“True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.” – Sir Winston Churchill

Based on the principle that a comparative evaluation is “genius” (Churchill said it so it must be true!), below are three cornerstone questions to ask yourself and relevant stakeholders to evaluate the merits of DIY or Partner:

1. Results. How do we define success regardless of who does the work? Define the “have to haves”, the “nice to haves”, the dates, and the total cost for completion. On the total cost, do your best to quantify productivity and other variables that hit cash flow but on a delay or by way of other direct costs. Compare that to the cost of engaging a partner.

2. Bandwidth. What is our bandwidth, and what is the best use of resources in meeting success? An upgrade is a disruption any way you slice it, and everyone has a day job. So quantify the realistic available bandwidth based on real life demand. Then compare the estimated bandwidth (with a margin for error) needed to accomplish the results.

3. Experience. Is there a gap in experience based on the results we need to achieve with the upgrade? Evaluate you and your team’s experience in completing an upgrade against a partner who also has experience. This will allow you to objectively determine if the required results demand a level of experience available only from a qualified partner.

Making this evaluation part of your pre-planning approach you will avoid pitfall #4 with your NextGen upgrade project. And better yet, according to the Churchill standard, you will be a genius!

Stay tuned for the final installment of Five Pitfalls to Avoid in Your NextGen 5.9/8.4 EHR Upgrade… #5: Not Testing Your Readiness Now.

Michael Patrick, President at Systeem

With more than 20 years of technology and technology sales experience, Michael has led Systeem’s operations since day one, connecting our clients with technology, processes and ideas that make their lives easier and happier.