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Evaluate AI Solutions

Step 1
Gather
Step 2
Compare
Step 3
Cost
Step 4
Question
Step 5
Document

Step 1: Gather Solution Information

Collect detailed information about each option you're evaluating.

For each solution, document: - Vendor/provider details - Technical specifications - Pricing model and costs - Security and compliance certifications - Support and SLA terms - Integration requirements

Step 2: Compare Solutions

Use weighted criteria to objectively compare your options.

Tool: Model Evaluation Calculator

Comparison categories: | Category | Factors | |----------|---------| | Cost | Implementation, operations, TCO | | Performance | Accuracy, latency, scalability | | Compliance | Privacy, security, accessibility | | Integration | APIs, compatibility, support |

Step 3: Calculate Total Cost of Ownership

Look beyond upfront costs to understand the full financial picture.

Tool: TCO Calculator

Cost categories to include: 1. Infrastructure - compute, storage, networking 2. Software - licenses, subscriptions, tools 3. Personnel - salaries, contractors, training 4. Operations - maintenance, monitoring, support 5. Risk & compliance - security, audits, insurance

Step 4: Ask Questions Vendors Won't Answer

Before making a decision, dig deeper into what vendors don't tell you.

Read: Questions Vendors Won't Answer

Critical areas to probe: - Training data sources and biases - Model limitations and failure modes - Real-world performance vs benchmarks - Exit costs and data portability - Dependency and lock-in risks

Step 5: Document Your Findings

Create a clear record of your evaluation and recommendation.

Guidance: Vendor Evaluation Guide

Your documentation should include: - Executive summary with recommendation - Methodology and criteria used - Detailed comparison results - Risk analysis for recommended option - Implementation considerations