One of the biggest concerns we hear from supplier development executives using "manual" evaluation or scorecarding technology, is about the extraordinary amount of time that it typically takes to complete their data collection & reporting process.

There is certainly a very high irritation factor - both for the administrators trying to collect the data (generally using Word or Excel documents) and for assessors trying to complete these seemingly endless forms.

But could it be that a much more worrying side-effect of slow and cumbersome manual assessment processes is a lack of trust in the results of the assessment, ie a lack of trust in the data?!

In my experience, the longer the time gap between collecting the data and de-briefing & action planning, the less stakeholders believe in the integrity the findings.

That is, delays in the data collection and reporting process undermine belief in, and support for the evaluation project.

But why?

Does this serious problem stem from a disconnect between the information provided and the resulting downstream development opportunities, to diminish the impact of the entire process?

Put simply, if the reporting & planning phase does not quickly follow the collection phase then stakeholders are more likely to be confused about the whole assessment project.

With too great a time gap, specific feedback that was topical at the time of collection is no longer relevant once the reports are compiled and produced - and this tarnishes the rest of the feedback that was provided, no matter how valid it was.

A timely collection, reporting & planning process will produce better results as stakeholders buy into the project with greater understanding.

Are your manual data collection and management techniques slowing key process and undermining the integrity of your assessment projects? 

Author: Richard Benyon (Decideware)