# 9. What does a completed scorecard look like?

**The following is a synthetic illustration, not a comparison of real suppliers.** Both proposals are assessed against the default weights; all scores shown are after evidence caps.

| Criterion | Weight | Proposal A | Proposal B |
|---|---:|---:|---:|
| C1. Workflow fit | 15 | 5 | 4 |
| C2. Specialist depth | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| C3. Migration | 12 | 2 | 5 |
| C4. Implementation | 12 | 2 | 4 |
| C5. Integrations | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| C6. Security | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| C7. Adoption | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| C8. Administration | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| C9. Reporting | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| C10. TCO and terms | 10 | 2 | 4 |
| C11. Exit | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| C12. AI assurance | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| **Weighted total** | **100** | **66.6** | **82.0** |
| **Evidence coverage** | | **58%** | **100%** |
| **Gate status** | | **Hold** | **Pass** |

In this example, A has stronger demonstrated workflow and reporting features, but C3, C4, C8, C10 and C11 remain below E3 evidence quality. Those rows account for 42% of the weighting, leaving 58% coverage.

B provides stronger migration proof and a more substantiated delivery and operating proposal. Its 82.0 is a reason to advance to approval—not proof that implementation will succeed.

A’s correct outcome is **resolve and retest, or reject if the gaps cannot be closed**. Do not convert its unproven areas into claims that the product cannot perform them.

### What decision thresholds should the committee use?

The desk proposes the following starting policy:

| Result | Proposed decision |
|---|---|
| **80–100, gates passed, coverage at least 90%** | Eligible for award recommendation, subject to critical-criterion floors, sensitivity review and executable contract terms |
| **70–79, with no failed gate** | Conditional shortlist; close material gaps and rescore before approval |
| **Below 70** | Redesign the proposal, narrow the scope or consider another option |
| **Any gate on hold** | No final award approval until the hold is resolved |
| **Any failed gate** | Not eligible in its present form, regardless of total |

Before evaluation begins, designate critical criteria that must each earn at least **3**. The default candidates are C1, C3, C4, C6, C10 and C11, plus C2 and C5 where specialist depth or integrations are essential.

The 80-point and 90%-coverage thresholds are governance choices, not evidence-based success probabilities. Adjust them prospectively if needed; do not change them retrospectively to favour the preferred supplier.