This is the moment you step up and say, “We can do better.” You know something’s not working. Maybe it's performance, vendor support, an outdated user experience, or just the weight of everything your team is holding together manually. You know something needs to change. This stage helps you define why it matters & how to lead it. It’s where you lay the groundwork for every decision that follows.

You’ve done the internal work. Now it’s time to step outside your walls and start talking to vendors. But you’re not here to window-shop. You’re here to lead structured discovery. This stage is about owning the process, guiding smart vendor conversations, filtering early, and staying focused on what your institution truly needs. You’re not shopping for features. You’re searching for real alignment.

You’ve narrowed it down. Now it’s time to go deep and get real. This is where technical capabilities meet team alignment. You’re no longer evaluating just the product. You’re evaluating the partnership. In this stage, your team digs into the technical details, validates integrations, and pushes vendors past the pitch. Go deep, but stay focused.

You’ve done the work. You’ve built consensus. Now it’s time to make the call. This stage is about more than price. It’s about trust, alignment, and confidence. You’re choosing more than a platform. You’re choosing a partner your institution will depend on for years to come. Choose with purpose. This decision sets the tone for everything that follows.

You didn’t come all this way to check a box. You came to lead change, and now, you’re making it real. In this final stage, your team shifts from evaluating to building. The partner you selected becomes your implementation team. Your vision becomes your go-live plan. Now’s the time to ensure you’re set up for success with a cross-functional team who is aligned, prepared, and ready to deliver on everything they set out to achieve.