Develop clear specifications. This includes exact descriptions and system definitions, explicit deadlines, and precise acceptance criteria. Suffolk County, New York, spent 12 months and $500,000 preparing detailed specifications fora million criminal justice system before accepting bids. Only 6 of 22 invited integrators bid on the project because of the county’s rigorous cost and quality standards. County officials believe their diligent upfront efforts helped ensure their new system’s success and saved the county $3 million
