How to Deliver a 3-Month Technology Selection in Just 30 Days
- Phil Turton
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Do you need to make a technology purchase before year-end? Or perhaps you just need to move quickly because the business is demanding it? You are not alone. Many IT and procurement leaders face the same challenge every Q4 when a critical system needs replacing, the business wants progress before budgets reset, and the selection process still takes months.
The good news is that it does not have to.
At Viewpoint Analysis, we have helped many organisations compress 90-day+ vendor selection cycles into just 30 days without cutting corners or compromising governance. Here is how to fast-track your RFP or selection process and still make the right choice.
The Problem: Overcomplication Kills Momentum
Buying new enterprise technology is something most people do only a few times in their careers. It is no surprise that the process often becomes bloated and bureaucratic. The result is 100-page RFPs, endless meetings, and decisions that drag on so long the business loses interest.
The biggest mistake is overcomplicating it.
You do not need a 3-month (or more) RFP cycle to reach a smart and defensible decision. You just need structure, clarity, and a willingness to move at a pace.
The 7 Rules for a 30-Day Technology Selection
1. Replace the 100-Page RFP with a Clear Problem Statement
Do not waste weeks developing a huge RFP document that nobody enjoys reading. Instead, issue a concise problem statement. Define the issue you are solving, your key outcomes, and the essential criteria for success. Then ask vendors to respond with how they would approach it. This keeps the focus on solving your problem, not completing templates.
2. Go Wide, Then Go Narrow
At the start, cast your net wide to identify a longlist of vendors. Once you have done that initial research, quickly narrow down to a shortlist of the four or five most relevant. Invest your time where it matters most.
3. Be Transparent with the Sales Teams
Sales teams are often left guessing about the process and timing. Be upfront. Explain that you are running a fast RFP and that you need their full engagement to make it work. You will be surprised at how positively they respond when they know the plan and the urgency.
4. Keep the Decision Team Small
Every extra person adds scheduling complexity and slows decisions. Define a core team of three to five key stakeholders who can meet quickly, review options, and make the call. Others can be consulted later if needed or brought in for the key steps.
5. Make Remote the Default
Insist on remote sessions instead of face-to-face workshops. You will move twice as fast, avoid diary chaos, and still get all the insight you need to evaluate the options. In Q4 this single change can save you weeks.
6. Set Aggressive, Public Timelines
Treat your selection as a sprint, not a marathon. Publish the schedule, such as “issue RFP Monday, shortlist by Friday, demos next week, decision by month-end,” and hold everyone accountable. The process should never become a project in itself. It is simply the means to an end.
7. Let Vendors Help Build Your Business Case
Good vendors want you to succeed internally. Use their resources, including ROI models, business case templates, and customer stories, to strengthen your justification for purchase. Many vendors have dedicated teams who can support this.
Is 30 Days Really Possible?
Yes, and it is easier than you might think.
A 30-day technology selection process requires focus, but it is absolutely achievable. When teams simplify, communicate clearly, and stick to tight timelines, momentum builds quickly. Vendors respond faster, internal approvals come sooner, and everyone feels the benefit of progress.
Best of all, you end the year with a decision made, not deferred.
Our Viewpoint - A Faster Selection Process
At Viewpoint Analysis, we specialise in rapid RFPs, fast vendor selection, and accelerated IT procurement. We help IT and procurement leaders run clear, structured 30-day processes that deliver confident decisions before year-end.
If your selection process is stuck or your project cannot afford to slip into next year, we can help you compress months of work into a focused, 30-day sprint.
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