Technology Expertise
The right technical skillset is a non-negotiable criterion in order to select a modernization partner. A company that has expertise in all required technologies, fair knowledge of your domain, and is also aware of the latest compliance guidelines is likely to be a good fit. Since modernization requires faster turnaround times with large volumes of work, you should preferably look for a partner with a proven automation framework(s) and other technical utilities in place.
Clear Processes And Transparency
The partner should be able to meticulously plan your entire modernization project. They should have clear processes and guidelines laid out for required sourcing, course development, change management, support, and risk handling. They should also be able to provide a good estimate of your involvement in the whole project. It should not happen that your team is so deeply involved that they can’t focus on their core business. This nullifies the whole objective of onboarding an external partner. The partner should show you periodic demos and get the approval of what has been created. The partner should also be transparent about their way of working—their processes, costs, expertise, challenges, project plan and everything else that your team needs to know.
Quality
What methods and processes does the partner deploy to ensure quality delivery? An ideal modernization partner would have interim reviews for graphics, Instructional Design, and programming in place. If a partner maintains a log of changes being done in the course during the modernization process, it can help your team review the changes accurately. Their quality team should be able to perform thorough testing of text and multimedia elements along with in-depth functionality testing. A final quality review by seniors or another set of eyes to ensure quality delivery before it reaches you is another useful aspect to consider.
Agility
Requirements can sometimes change even in the middle of a project. Can the partner quickly adapt to specific needs or changed requirements? Can they scale their team up or down rapidly depending on your business needs? Also, evaluate what methods and resources they have to quickly get back on track in case of unexpected issues. The partner team should also be open to iron out any gaps in delivery based on your feedback. The partner you choose needs to be attuned to your requirements and your working style. The partner should be able to talk at a time convenient to you even if they operate in a different time zone.
Credibility
A partner with a proven track record in modernizing multiple projects is better than someone who is a novice in modernization. You should know how long they have been around and how satisfied their customers are. The partner should be able to provide you with work references. If their work has won some industry accolades, this speaks a lot about their credibility.
Price
Price is a crucial aspect to consider when evaluating a partner. The quality and service delivered are not always directly proportional to rates. You may be suspicious of very low rates, but at the same time, companies that charge huge rates could just be bloated. A partner that can provide a reasonably low cost with better use of technology solutions is probably your best bet.
