Western Pallet Magazine May 2025 | Page 29

1. Strategic Fit

  • Does the technology align with business goals?

  • Does it support Lean, sustainability, or growth plans?

  • Is the timing right based on market and internal readiness?

  • 2. Problem Definition

  • What specific issue does it solve?

  • Have simpler or lower-cost options been considered?

  • 3. ROI and Cost Analysis

  • What’s the projected ROI?

  • Has it been validated internally?

  • What are the total costs (setup, training, support, downtime)?

  • Is purchase, lease, or partnership the best approach?

  • 4. Operational Impact

  • Will it improve speed, accuracy, or uptime?

  • Does it reduce or reassign labor?

  • Could it shift bottlenecks elsewhere?

  • 5. Scalability and Flexibility

  • Can it grow with the business?

  • Is it modular or upgradable?

  • Will it integrate with existing systems?

  • 6. Vendor Evaluation

  • Is the vendor credible in manufacturing?

  • Are references or case studies available?

  • What support and warranty terms are offered?

  • 7. Implementation Readiness

  • Do we have staff ready to lead deployment?

  • Are we prepared for change management?

  • Is there a clear rollout and training plan?

  • 8. Data & Cybersecurity

  • Will it handle sensitive data?

  • Are safeguards in place for privacy and security?

  • Does it meet applicable standards?

  • 9. Compliance and Safety

  • Will it support safety or regulatory goals?

  • Have potential risks been assessed?

  • 10. Post-Implementation Review

  • Are KPIs in place to track results?

  • Is there a plan to reassess performance?

  • Who is responsible for follow-up?

  • 10. Post-Implementation Review

  • Are KPIs in place to track results?

  • Is there a plan to reassess performance?

  • Who is responsible for follow-up?

  • Technology Investment 10-Point Checklist

    Other Resources

  • 8 steps for a successful technology investment

  • Checklist to create a technology roadmap

  • The Essential Tech Buying Checklist for Every Growth Stage

  • May 2025