CSI Vendor Evaluation & Selection 3

Question 1

A prospective vendor refuses to provide customer references during the evaluation process. How should a system integrator interpret this?

Accepted Answer

This is a significant red flag suggesting potential performance or relationship issues

Answer

Refusal to provide references is a major red flag, as reputable vendors with satisfied clients typically welcome reference checks.

Question 2

In a weighted scoring model for vendor selection, criteria weights should be determined by:

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder input aligned with project priorities and organizational objectives

Answer

Weights must reflect organizational priorities and be validated through stakeholder consensus to ensure the selection aligns with business needs.

Question 3

What is vendor lock-in, and why is it a concern during vendor selection?

Accepted Answer

Dependency on a single vendor's proprietary technology that makes switching costly or impractical

Answer

Vendor lock-in creates dependency that limits negotiating leverage and can result in higher long-term costs if the vendor underperforms.

Question 4

Which document is typically issued before an RFP to gather market information and assess vendor interest without committing to a purchase?

Accepted Answer

Request for Information (RFI)

Answer

An RFI is a non-binding inquiry used to gather market information and assess vendor capabilities before formally issuing an RFP.

Question 5

During a vendor demonstration, a product performs flawlessly on the vendor's controlled environment but struggles when tested on the client's actual infrastructure. What evaluation principle does this highlight?

Accepted Answer

Proof-of-concept testing in the actual target environment is essential for accurate evaluation

Answer

Real-world proof-of-concept (PoC) testing in the target environment exposes compatibility and performance issues not visible in controlled demos.

(CSI) Certified System Integrator Practice Test

(CSI) Certified System Integrator Practice Test

CSI Vendor Evaluation & Selection 3