Best Practices for Research Projects

When conducting research, spend some time to ensure that what you recommend has been fully vetted and is worthy of your approval.  These best practices are great to refer to when you're starting a new research project.  We'll use an example of identifying the best vendor to buy from.   

First, take your time to thoroughly analyze the key variables.  Educate yourself on the topic by looking into various sources.  Depending upon the level of importance and/or complexity of the project, you might want to take a more flexible approach.  If you are researching a new software that will be implemented company-wide, a more thorough analysis is recommended.  If you are researching a new window washing service, a very light version of this would work. J

·       Determine key variables.  Put yourself in the decision maker’s position and try to determine what your concerns and questions would be.  Create a template of questions to ask the vendors that you will research.  It's ideal to ask the decision maker what their key criteria is and build that directly into the questions up front.  

·       Create a spreadsheet.  Build a matrix to collect your this information, organize it as it comes in, and simplify your analysis.  List each vendor as a row.  Create a column for each variable, your feedback, reviews, vendor contact info, notes, etc.  As you work on this project continuously update this same spreadsheet with all of your notes as your project information database.  Make sure the spreadsheet prints well (1 page wide). 

·       Research online.  Find several vendors online that seem to be a good fit for your variables.  As you research them, be open to learn new variables you should consider and add questions to your list.  Make sure all the updates get input on your spreadsheet.

·       Make some calls.  Call and talk to potential vendors and/or experts.  Ask them your list questions.  Try a few sales reps, if needed.  Learn as much about the information as much as possible.  Ask why they are the best.  Take these reasons into consideration to ask other vendors as well.  New variables and considerations may pop up from this process. Add all notes to your spreadsheet. Good sources are key to providing reliable information.  Different perspectives are useful in this stage and can teach you a lot.

·       Read reviews.  Find reviews online (not from their site that they have chosen, but on unbiased websites that will show you what customers really think, such as Yelp, etc.).  Add notes to your spreadsheet.

·       Present your top 3.  Draft an email with a brief write up about the top 2-3 vendors you recommend, in order of your preference.  Present the information in a very simple manner to digest.  Provide a brief overview up top with the #1 recommended option and why you personally recommend it.  List any other key information in bullets.  Simplify the information so that it is easy to easily understand the standout information you learned while researching.  Attach the detailed analysis spreadsheet as well as any other helpful information such as links to websites, etc.