# Evaluate Stage — Elaboration

## Criteria Guidance

### Good criteria — concrete and verifiable

- "Vendor scorecard rates each vendor against every RFP criterion using the pre-defined scoring methodology"
- "Technical evaluation includes proof-of-concept results, reference checks, and architecture compatibility assessment"
- "Total cost of ownership analysis covers licensing, implementation, integration, training, and ongoing maintenance"

### Bad criteria — vague (no clear check)

- "Vendors are evaluated"
- "Scores are calculated"
- "Best vendor is identified"

