STACE framework: an alternative to Quality Cost Based Model for the selection of ERP systems for public sector

Abstract

Evaluation and selection of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for public sector organisations in developing countries is a problem because ERP vendor selection is basically a multi-criteria problem but most organisation use the weighted sum method. Furthermore, it is a problem is developing countries because ERP implementation require colossal sum of money and therefore financed by donor or funding agencies. These donors or funding agencies impose procurement rules that are difficult to follow and that do not necessary yield the best results. For example, the World Bank proposes the use of Quality-Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method for selection. This paper presents the application of Social Technical Approach to to Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Software Evaluation (STACE) framework as an alternative to evaluation and selection of ERP software and vendors for public sector organisations. The paper provides the results and lessons learnt in applying QCBS and STACE framework in selecting ERP software and vendor for a public sector organisation in a developing country.