Choosing and acquiring technology can be a major undertaking for an election management body (EMB). Before committing itself to a large technology purchase, an EMB may find it most effective to adopt a structured approach to the process of selecting and purchasing technology.
Steps can include:
- Establishing whether there is a need for technology
- Selecting cost-effective technological solutions
- Considering the local infrastructure and any limitations it might impose
- Considering sustainability issues
- Acquiring the chosen technology
- Following correct purchasing processes
Establishing that there is a real need for acquiring technology is a key determining factor in whether or not to pursue its acquisition. See Is A Technology Based Solution Appropriate? for more detail. Technology has many benefits and many applications, and most EMBs make use of technology for various purposes to good effect. However, there are times when the implementation of such changes was based on personal interests, outside influence, and reasons other than true need for the technology itself. Establishing this need is generally the first part of a project's development and the implementation methodology for the proposed technology. See Project Development and Implementation Methodologies for more detail.
Once an EMB has decided to acquire new technology, the next step is to select the most cost-effective technological solutions available. Before making a commitment to its implementation, it is important to fully calculate all the likely costs and savings to determine whether the new technology is viable. For more detail see Cost Considerations. Further information on this topic can be found under Costs and Benefits of Technology.
Another issue to address is the readiness of the EMB and its clients to assimilate technology (see Readiness to Assimilate Technology).
Sustainability is yet another important area to examine. In many cases, it will be desirable to ensure that the technology adopted for next year's election will still be useful at the election after that. For more detail, see Sustainability.
