Is this software actually worth replacing?
A practical screen for deciding whether to rebuild a system, renegotiate it, or leave it alone.
Not every annoying platform should be rebuilt. The best replacement candidates share a few recognizable traits.
01
The spend is meaningful
There should be enough recurring cost or labor waste to justify implementation, migration, support, and ongoing maintenance.
02
The essential workflow is understandable
The best candidates may have large feature lists, but the organization itself relies on a manageable core.
03
The pain is structural
If users complain because they need training, replacement may not help. If they rely on workarounds because the software does not match the process, that is more interesting.
04
Migration is possible
The data does not need to be perfectly portable, but you need a credible plan for records, integrations, permissions, and cutover.
05
The risk is appropriate
Replacing a booking system is different from replacing a general ledger. The downside of a failure should be understood before the upside gets exciting.
Question to take back to your team
Is the problem really the software — or would the same friction survive in a new tool?
See an opportunity in your own business?
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