Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites

Transcription

1 Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites Effectively manage your workforce from hire to retire with an end-to-end talent management solution. McLean & Company is a research and advisory firm that provides practical solutions to human resources challenges with executable research, tools, and advice that will have a clear and measurable impact on your business McLean & Company. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group Inc. 1

2 Introduction Talent Management (TM) suites are an end-to-end solution; they generally cover recruitment, performance management, learning, and compensation. This Research Is Designed For: Enterprises seeking to select a solution for Talent Management. This Research Will Help You: Understand what s new in the talent management market. Their talent management use case may include: Current implementation of an end-to-end talent management suite. Current implementation of a module or modules of a talent management suite with the option to implement other modules in the future. Evaluate talent management vendors and products for your enterprise needs. Determine which products are most appropriate for particular use cases and scenarios. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 2

3 Executive Summary McLean & Company evaluated 10 competitors in the talent management market, including the following notable performers: Champions: SumTotal - This talent management suite offers robust succession planning and workforce planning modules, as well as Salesforce.com integration, best-fit analytics packages, and a choice of deployment options. Cornerstone OnDemand This Software as a Service (SaaS) talent management suite is appealing, intuitive, and robust. Its single code base is evident in the interoperability of, and seamless flow between, its three core modules. HRsmart This SaaS talent management suite offers a highly intuitive user interface and full mobile device support, as well as full pay equity analysis functionality. Kenexa This talent management suite offers full functionality, including comprehensive competency libraries and management tools, skill gap identification, learning tied to competencies, and full pay equity analysis capabilities. Trend Setter Award: Kenexa CompAnalyst Market Data, an add-on module, is a robust engine that pulls market rate information from multiple employer-reported data sources. It is an exceptional tool for establishing and reviewing salaries for market competitiveness. McLean & Company Insight 1. User interface appeal and intuitiveness are areas of focus for most vendors. The commoditization of the talent management market means that even advanced features are becoming expected; users will be drawn to the experience offered by the suite; appeal and usability both play a large role in that experience. 2. Social and mobile functionality will become more important as customer use catches up with product capability. Almost all vendors offer social and mobile functionality, but the depth of their offering varies substantively. As customers begin to design more interactive virtual environments for their employees ideally accessible from anywhere a robust social and mobile offering will be table stakes. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 3

4 Market Overview How it got here Over the last number of years, the talent management market has experienced widespread consolidation; larger talent management vendors have bought up niche players and large ERP vendors have begun purchasing talent management suites. As a result, talent management competition in the mid-market is now dominated by large, established multi-nationals with a broad user base and extensive resources. Some vendors, like Cornerstone, offer fully homegrown solutions, but the vast majority are a result of acquisitions. For vendors in the latter group, their legacy product tends to be their strongest, though this is changing; these vendors are focused on creating suites that are uniform in look and feel. Where it s going Social and mobile functionality both continue to gain momentum because of their end-user appeal and their ability to drive usage across the platform. Organizations should carefully consider their short-term social and mobile requirements before focusing too heavily on these functionalities; vendor offerings will improve across the board over the next few years. Advanced reporting and analytics functionality that allows the integration of data points from separate modules has become a point of differentiation for some vendors. Only organizations with sophisticated reporting needs will be drawn to this functionality; basic functionality should be able to serve the needs of a majority of organizations. Vendors that have a suite which contains disparate pieces obtained through acquisition will work toward even more robust back-end integration between modules to ensure the user experience is seamless. As the market evolves, capabilities that were once cutting edge become default and new functionality becomes differentiating. Automated routing has become a Table Stakes capability and should no longer be used to differentiate solutions. Instead focus on getting the best fit for your requirements. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 4

5 Talent Management vendor selection / knock-out criteria: market share, mind share, and platform coverage For this Vendor Landscape, McLean & Company focused on those vendors that offer broad capabilities across multiple platforms and that have a strong market presence and/or reputational presence among mid and large-sized enterprises. To be considered for inclusion, vendors had to offer performance management and learning modules, as well as a recruitment module, a compensation module, or both. Included in this Vendor Landscape: Cornerstone OnDemand. Cornerstone Integrated Learning & Talent Management Suite. Halogen Software. Strategic Talent Management Suite. HRsmart. Unified Talent Management Suite. Kenexa. Kenexa 2x Talent Management Suite. Lumesse. Integrated Talent Management. Oracle Taleo. Cloud Service. Saba Software. Saba People Cloud. SuccessFactors (SAP). Business Execution Suite SilkRoad. Life Suite. SumTotal Systems. SumTotal Talent Platform. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 5

6 Talent Management Suite criteria & weighting factors Product Evaluation Criteria Features Usability The solution provides basic and advanced feature/functionality. The solution s dashboard and reporting tools are intuitive and easy to use. Criteria Weighting: Features 40% 40% Usability Affordability The three year TCO of the solution is economical. Architecture 20% 0% Affordability* Architecture Vendor Evaluation Criteria The delivery method of the solution aligns with what is expected within the space. Product 80% Viability Strategy Vendor is profitable, knowledgeable, and will be around for the long-term. Vendor is committed to the space and has a future product and portfolio roadmap. Viability 20% Vendor Strategy Reach Vendor offers global coverage and is able to sell and provide post-sales support. 30% 30% Channel Vendor channel strategy is appropriate and the channels themselves are strong. *Affordability was weighted 0 and not scored in this Vendor Landscape Channel 15% 25% Reach Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 6

7 The McLean & Company Talent Management Vendor Landscape The Zones of the Landscape Champions receive high scores for most evaluation criteria and offer excellent value. They have a strong market presence and are usually the trend setters for the industry. The McLean & Company Vendor Landscape: Market Pillars are established players with very strong vendor credentials, but with more average product scores. Cornerstone SumTotal Innovators have demonstrated innovative product strengths that act as their competitive advantage in appealing to niche segments of the market. Halogen Lumesse Kenexa HRsmart Emerging Players are newer vendors who are starting to gain a foothold in the marketplace. They balance product and vendor attributes, though score lower relative to market Champions. SilkRoad SuccessFacto rs Saba Oracle Taleo For an explanation of how the McLean & Company Vendor Landscape is created, see Information Presentation Vendor Landscape in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 7

8 Balance individual strengths to find the best fit for your enterprise Product Vendor 1234 Cornerstone Halogen HRsmart Kenexa Lumesse Oracle Taleo Saba SuccessFactors SilkRoad SumTotal Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Legend =Exemplary =Good =Adequate =Inadequate =Poor *Affordability was weighted 0 and not scored in this Vendor Landscape. For an explanation of how the McLean & Company Harvey Balls are calculated, see Information Presentation Criteria Scores (Harvey Balls) in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 8

9 Table Stakes represent the minimum standard; without these, a product doesn t even get reviewed The Table Stakes Feature Platform breadth SaaS deployment option What it is: Vendors must offer a performance management module and a learning management module, as well as a minimum of one of either recruitment or compensation. Software as a Service (SaaS) must be an available deployment option and is increasingly the deployment option of choice for talent management customers. What Does This Mean? The products assessed in this Vendor Landscape TM meet, at the very least, the requirements outlined as Table Stakes. Many of the vendors go above and beyond the outlined Table Stakes, some even do so in multiple categories. This section aims to highlight the products capabilities in excess of the criteria listed here. Automated routing All modules must allow administrators and/or managers to set up automated routing of tasks and approvals. If Table Stakes are all you need from your talent management suite, the only true differentiator for the organization is price. Otherwise, dig deeper to find the best price to value for your needs. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 9

10 Advanced Features are the capabilities that allow for granular market differentiation Scoring Methodology McLean & Company scored each vendor s features offering as a summation of their individual scores across the listed advanced features. For the first four items, vendors were given 1 point for each feature the product inherently provided in all modules of the suite and half a point for each feature provided in part of the suite (1 or more modules). For the last four items, vendors were given 1 point for having the feature and half a point if they had partial capability. Advanced Features Feature Analytics Mobile End-user interface customization Social What we looked for: Advanced analytics and reporting. Mobile device support. End-user interface customization capability. Social functionality. Workforce planning Succession planning Skills tracking Pay equity analysis Workforce planning functionality. Succession planning functionality. Skills and competencies tracking. Internal and external pay equity analysis capability. For an explanation of how Advanced Features are determined, see Information Presentation Feature Ranks (Stop Lights) in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 10

11 Each vendor offers a different feature set; concentrate on what your organization needs Evaluated Features Advanced Reporting & Analytics Mobile Device Support End User Interface Customization Social Functionality Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills & Competencies Management Pay Equity Analysis Cornerstone Halogen HRsmart Kenexa Lumesse Oracle Taleo Saba SuccessFactors SilkRoad SumTotal Legend =Feature fully present =Feature partially present/pending =Feature Absent For an explanation of how Advanced Features are determined, see Information Presentation Feature Ranks (Stop Lights) in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 11

12 Scenario 1: First-class module integration Seamless integration of all talent management modules creates a top quality user experience from end to end. 1 Exemplary Performers Integration 2 3 Why Scenarios? In reviewing the products included in each Vendor Landscape TM, certain use-cases come to the forefront. Whether those use-cases are defined by applicability in certain locations, relevance for certain industries, or as strengths in delivering a specific capability, McLean & Company recognizes those use-cases as Scenarios, and calls attention to them where they exist. Cornerstone OnDemand s homegrown talent management suite offers top-quality integration; users transition seamlessly between modules, and the look and feel of the software remains consistent throughout. Halogen s strategic talent management suite offers modules that are well integrated, offering a streamlined and enjoyable user experience from end to end. For an explanation of how Scenarios are determined, see Information Presentation Scenarios in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 12

13 Scenario 2: Onboarding module A separate onboarding module offers customers impressive onboarding functionality beyond that offered in a standard recruiting module. 2 SilkRoad s 2 3 Onboarding Why Scenarios? In reviewing the products included in each Vendor Landscape TM, certain use-cases come to the forefront. Whether those use-cases are defined by applicability in certain locations, relevance for certain industries, or as strengths in delivering a specific capability, McLean & Company recognizes those use-cases as Scenarios, and calls attention to them where they exist. Exemplary Performers RedCarpet onboarding module offers an appealing and user friendly experience for new hires. It is also filled with impressive social functionality to keep them engaged with the platform throughout their tenure with the organization. Kenexa 2x Onboard is user friendly and allows new hires to easily manage tasks and access resources during their first days on the job. It also links well with other modules in the talent management suite, particularly the learning management module, to encourage ongoing participation. For an explanation of how Scenarios are determined, see Information Presentation Scenarios in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 13

14 Scenario 3: All four core modules Look to vendors with recruitment, performance management, learning, and compensation functionality for full employee lifecycle management SumTotal Full suite Why Scenarios? In reviewing the products included in each Vendor Landscape TM, certain use-cases come to the forefront. Whether those use-cases are defined by applicability in certain locations, relevance for certain industries, or as strengths in delivering a specific capability, McLean & Company recognizes those use-cases as Scenarios, and calls attention to them where they exist. Exemplary Performers was the highest scoring vendor overall, landing them at the top of the Champion pile. They offer nine talent management modules, including the four core modules: Recruiting & Hiring, Performance Management, Learning Management, and Compensation Management. Kenexa landed soundly in the Champion category. They offer six talent management modules, including the four core modules: 2x BrassRing (Recruitment), TalentManager (Performance Management), Integrated Learning Suite (Learning), and CompAnalyst (Compensation). For an explanation of how Scenarios are determined, see Information Presentation Scenarios in the Appendix. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 14

15 SumTotal Champion Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Talent Platform 1,000+ Gainesville, FL sumtotalsystems.com 1984 Private company The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found Overview SumTotal Systems Inc. offers a full learning and talent management platform, including: Human Resources Information System (HRIS), recruiting & hiring, performance management, 360 degree feedback, succession planning, workforce planning, learning management, compensation management, social collaboration, and analytics. Strengths SumTotal s new analytics offering (introduced in 2012) comes in three tiers: basic ad hoc reporting; KPIs across the employee lifecycle; and workforce planning across HR and external business systems. The Workforce Planning and Succession Planning modules offer advanced functionality to meet the needs of large and/or complex organizations and they re visually appealing as well. SumTotal s interoperability strategy, which includes integrations with LinkedIn and Salesforce.com, drives employee use. $1 $1M+ Challenges The user interface is inconsistent in intuitiveness and visual appeal. Some modules, like the learning management system, are list-heavy and visually unappealing. However, other modules, like the workforce planning and succession planning modules, have high visual appeal (user interface is slated for an update in late 2013). Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 15

16 SumTotal offers Salesforce.com integration, advanced analytics, and succession and workforce planning Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: SumTotal s talent platform is appropriate for any organization that is looking for advanced workforce or succession planning functionality and is willing to forgo high user interface appeal at least until the next release. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 16

17 Cornerstone OnDemand Champion Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Integrated Learning & Talent Management Suite 501-2,000 Los Angeles, CA cornerstoneondemand.com 1999 NASDAQ: CSOD The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found Overview Cornerstone focuses on providing an organic, end-to-end talent management solution through four talent management modules: Recruiting Cloud, Learning Cloud, Performance Cloud (with compensation functionality), and Extended Enterprise Cloud. Strengths Cornerstone s homegrown system is built entirely on a single code base, ensuring full module interoperability, a consistent user experience across modules, and a single reporting environment. Cornerstone for Salesforce offers talent management tools that are built directly into Salesforce s platform. Challenges Pure multi-tenant SaaS is the only deployment option, which may be an issue for some customers. Workforce planning functionality is not yet available in the Recruiting Cloud (slated for release in late 2013). $1 $1M+ Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 17

18 Cornerstone OnDemand offers a homegrown solution with end-to-end appeal Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel 4 N/A 4 The talent management modules offered include: Recruiting Cloud Performance Cloud Learning Cloud Extended Enterprise Cloud Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Cornerstone s integrated learning and talent management suite is appealing, intuitive, and robust. It is appropriate for any organization that is comfortable with SaaS and does not currently require workforce planning functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 18

19 Kenexa, an IBM company Champion Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: 2x Talent Management Suite 2,501-5,000 Wayne, PA kenexa.com 1987 NYSE: IBM 3 year TCO for this solution falls into pricing tier 8, between $250,000 and $500,000. $1 $1M+ Pricing provided by vendor. Overview Kenexa s full talent management solution targets organizations with complex requirements. They offer recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning, succession, and compensation modules. Strengths The suite contains comprehensive competency libraries and pushes out learning tied to competencies. CompAnalyst Market Data (add-on) pulls market rate information from multiple employer-reported data sources. One of the pioneers in the talent acquisition systems (TAS) market, Kenexa offers robust TAS products for complex, global organizations. At present, their recruiting solution serves over half of the Fortune 500, including the four largest companies in the world. Challenges User interface has low visual appeal across modules, though ease of use is high. IBM plans to integrate its Analytics and Social solutions with Kenexa s portfolio; however, it s always a challenge to integrate an acquisition and only time will tell how well it s done. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 19

20 Kenexa offers advanced competency management and employer-reported compensation market data Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Kenexa s integrated talent management suite is intuitive and robust. It is appropriate for any organization that is looking for advanced compensation market information or competency management. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 20

21 HRsmart Champion Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Unified Talent Management Suite Richardson, TX hrsmart.com 1994 Privately Held The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found $1 $1M+ Overview HRsmart provides end-to-end talent management for organizations of all sizes. They offer six modules: Applicant Tracking, Employee Performance, Career Development and Succession Planning, Learning Management, Compensation, and Cross Modular Reporting. Strengths Suite modules are well integrated, offering a streamlined user experience. The user only needs two clicks to any main screen from anywhere in the suite. The compensation module offers external pay equity analysis functionality, which is currently a differentiator among talent management suites. Challenges SaaS is the only deployment option, which may be an issue for some customers. User interface has low visual appeal across modules, though ease of use is high. Limited social capability could be a deterrent for organizations looking to employ collaborative technology. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 21

22 HRsmart offers an intuitive platform with external pay equity analysis functionality Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: HRsmart s unified talent management suite is appropriate for any organization that is comfortable with SaaS, wants a streamlined user experience, and does not currently require extensive social functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 22

23 SuccessFactors Market Pillar Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Business Execution Suite 1,000+ San Mateo, CA successfactors.com 2001 NYSE: SAP Overview SuccessFactors Inc. is an established player that offers a full talent management suite. Modules include: recruiting, performance & goals, succession & development, learning, and compensation. Strengths Social features are present across the platform, including, social onboarding, social learning, and collaborative performance and goal management. The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found $1 $1M+ Challenges SaaS is the only deployment option, which may be an issue for some customers. There is no skills and competency management functionality, which is a common feature among other talent management vendors. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 23

24 SuccessFactors offers social functionality across the talent management platform Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Recruiting Performance & Goals Succession & Development Learning Compensation Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: SuccessFactor s business execution suite has a solid social offering across the platform and is appropriate for any organization that is comfortable with SaaS and does not currently require skills and competency management functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 24

25 Oracle Taleo Market Pillar Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Cloud Service 1,000+ Dublin, CA taleo.com 1996 NASDAQ: TLEO Overview Taleo Corp., recently acquired by Oracle, offers an end-to-end talent management suite that includes ten modules: recruiting, social sourcing, onboarding, performance management, goals management, succession planning, development planning, learning, analytics, and compensation. Strengths Social features are present across the platform, though their sophistication varies. They currently offer advanced social recruiting, basic social performance management, and decent social learning. The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found Challenges SaaS is the only deployment option, which may be an issue for some customers. A lack of workforce planning functionality could turn some customers away. $1 $1M+ Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 25

26 Oracle Taleo offers social functionality across their broad talent management platform Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Recruiting Cloud Service Social Sourcing Cloud Service Onboarding Cloud Service Development Planning Cloud Service Performance Management Cloud Service Learn Cloud Service Goals Management Cloud Service Succession Planning Cloud Service Fusion Workforce Compensation Analytics Cloud Service Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Oracle Taleo has a broad product offering that extends well beyond talent management software, so they may be a good choice for customers who want one vendor for all of their business needs. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 26

27 Lumesse Innovator Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Integrated Talent Management Suite <200 Guildford, UK lumesse.com 2003 Privately held Overview Lumesse is a global talent management provider with a strong local focus. Their modules include: recruiting, onboarding, performance, skills and competency, 360 feedback, career and succession planning, learning, compensation, and analytics. Strengths Lumesse s focus on making talent management work locally is reflected in their language offering over 50 languages are offered across the platform. That is the highest number of any talent management vendor. 3 year TCO for this solution falls into pricing tier 8, between $250,000 and $500,000. Challenges Limited social capability could be a deterrent for organizations looking to employ collaborative technology. Although Lumesse has a full talent management offering, there were no standout features. $1 $1M+ Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 27

28 Lumesse offers a localized talent management experience that goes beyond translation services Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Lumesse s integrated talent management suite is appropriate for any organization that wants a localized user experience and does not currently require extensive social functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 28

29 Halogen Innovator Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Strategic Talent Management Suite Ottawa, Canada halogensoftware.com 2001 Privately Held Overview Halogen software provides organic end-to-end talent management, including six separate modules: erecruitment, eappraisal, e360 Multirater, elearning Manager, esuccession, and ecompensation. Strengths Suite modules are well integrated, offering a streamlined user experience. The suite has a strong competency link throughout. The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found Challenges Halogen s succession planning module is based on the concept of talent pools, so they don t yet have the functionality to perform an organization-wide view of key roles and succession candidates (slated for release in late 2013). $1 $1M+ Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 29

30 Halogen offers an intuitive platform with strong competency management Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Halogen s strategic talent management suite is well integrated, allowing users to flow easily between modules. It is appropriate for any organization that is looking to track and leverage employee competencies and does not currently require advanced succession planning functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 30

31 SilkRoad Emerging Player Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: Life Suite Chicago, IL silkroad.com 2003 Private company Overview SilkRoad provides a full suite talent management solution which includes OpenHire (Recruiting), RedCarpet (Onboarding), Wingspan (Performance management), Greenlight (Learning Management), Point (Social collaboration), and Heartbeat (HRIS). Strengths The onboarding module, RedCarpet, is both attractive and intuitive, and has a heavy social focus. The platform integrates easily with all major HRIS/HRMS. The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found $1 $1M+ Challenges SaaS is the only deployment option, which may be an issue for some customers. There is no compensation module, which could be a deterrent for some customers. A lack of workforce planning functionality in the suite could turn some customers away. However, SilkRoad s partnership with Visier to provide this functionality will likely be acceptable to most prospects. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 31

32 SilkRoad offers an appealing onboarding module to engage new hires Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: SilkRoad s life suite is appropriate for any organization that is comfortable with SaaS, would like a robust onboarding module, and does not currently require workforce planning or compensation functionality. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 32

33 Saba Emerging Player Product: Employees: Headquarters: Website: Founded: Presence: People Cloud 501-1,000 Redwood Shores, CA saba.com 1997 NASDAQ: SABA Overview Saba focuses on providing end to end talent management solution through their six talent management modules: performance management, performance reviews and appraisals, succession planning, workforce planning, learning, and compensation. Strengths Saba offers a complete view of employees that can be used for talent pooling. It stores information on their background, experience, education, performance review scores, compensation, and any additional talent indicator information in one place for ease of review. The vendor declined to provide pricing, and publicly available pricing could not be found Challenges There is no recruitment module, which could be a deterrent for many customers. A lack of equity analysis capability could be an issue for some organizations. $1 $1M+ Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 33

34 Saba offers a one-stop view of employee information for easy talent pooling and succession management Vendor Landscape Product Vendor Overall Features Usability Afford. Arch. Overall Viability Strategy Reach Channel N/A The talent management modules offered include: Performance Management Succession Planning Performance Reviews and Appraisals Learning Workforce Planning Compensation Features Advanced Reporting Mobile Support End User Interface Customization Social Support Workforce Planning Succession Planning Skills and Competency Management Pay Equity Analysis McLean & Company Recommends: Saba s people cloud is appropriate for organizations that would like a one-stop view of employees for the purpose of talent pooling, who do not mind that there is no recruitment module offered on the platform. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 34

35 Identify leading candidates with the Talent Management Suites Vendor Shortlist Tool The McLean & Company Talent Management Suites Vendor Shortlist Tool is designed to generate a customized shortlist of vendors based on your key priorities. This tool offers the ability to modify: Overall Vendor vs. Product Weightings Individual product criteria weightings: Features Usability Affordability Architecture Individual vendor criteria weightings: Viability Strategy Reach Channel Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 35

36 Appendix 1. Vendor Landscape Methodology: Overview 2. Vendor Landscape Methodology: Product Selection & Information Gathering 3. Vendor Landscape Methodology: Scoring 4. Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation 5. Vendor Landscape Methodology: Fact Check & Publication 6. Product Pricing Scenario Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 36

37 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Overview McLean & Company s Vendor Landscapes are research materials that review a particular HR market space, evaluating the strengths and abilities of both the products available in that space, as well as the vendors of those products. These materials are created by a team of dedicated analysts operating under the direction of a senior subject matter expert over a period of six weeks. Evaluations weigh selected vendors and their products (collectively solutions ) on the following eight criteria to determine overall standing: Features: The presence of advanced and market-differentiating capabilities. Usability: The intuitiveness, power, and integrated nature of administrative consoles and client software components. Affordability: The three-year total cost of ownership of the solution. Architecture: The degree of integration with the vendor s other tools, flexibility of deployment, and breadth of platform applicability. Viability: The stability of the company as measured by its history in the market, the size of its client base, and its financial performance. Strategy: The commitment to both the market-space, as well as to the various sized clients (small, mid-sized, and enterprise clients). Reach: The ability of the vendor to support its products on a global scale. Channel: The measure of the size of the vendor s channel partner program, as well as any channel strengthening strategies. Evaluated solutions are plotted on a standard two by two matrix: Champions: Both the product and the vendor receive scores that are above the average score for the evaluated group. Innovators: The product receives a score that is above the average score for the evaluated group, but the vendor receives a score that is below the average score for the evaluated group. Market Pillars: The product receives a score that is below the average score for the evaluated group, but the vendor receives a score that is above the average score for the evaluated group. Emerging Players: Both the product and the vendor receive scores that are below the average score for the evaluated group. McLean & Company s Vendor Landscapes are researched and produced according to a strictly adhered to process that includes the following steps: Vendor/product selection Information gathering Vendor/product scoring Information presentation Fact checking Publication This document outlines how each of these steps is conducted. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 37

38 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Vendor/Product Selection & Information Gathering McLean & Company works closely with its client base to solicit guidance in terms of understanding the vendors with whom clients wish to work and the products that they wish evaluated; this demand pool forms the basis of the vendor selection process for Vendor Landscapes. Balancing this demand, McLean & Company also relies upon the deep subject matter expertise and market awareness of its Senior and Lead Research Analysts to ensure that appropriate solutions are included in the evaluation. As an aspect of that expertise and awareness, McLean & Company s analysts may, at their discretion, determine the specific capabilities that are required of the products under evaluation, and include in the Vendor Landscape only those solutions that meet all specified requirements. Information on vendors and products is gathered in a number of ways via a number of channels. Initially, a request package is submitted to vendors to solicit information on a broad range of topics. The request package includes: A detailed survey. A pricing scenario (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Price Evaluation and Pricing Scenario, below). A request for reference clients. A request for a briefing and, where applicable, guided product demonstration. These request packages are distributed approximately twelve weeks prior to the initiation of the actual research project to allow vendors ample time to consolidate the required information and schedule appropriate resources. During the course of the research project, briefings and demonstrations are scheduled (generally for one hour each session, though more time is scheduled as required) to allow the analyst team to discuss the information provided in the survey, validate vendor claims, and gain direct exposure to the evaluated products. Additionally, an end-user survey is circulated to McLean & Company s client base and vendor-supplied reference accounts are interviewed to solicit their feedback on their experiences with the evaluated solutions and with the vendors of those solutions. These materials are supplemented by a thorough review of all product briefs, technical manuals, and publicly available marketing materials about the product, as well as about the vendor itself. Refusal by a vendor to supply completed surveys or submit to participation in briefings and demonstrations does not eliminate a vendor from inclusion in the evaluation. Where analyst and client input has determined that a vendor belongs in a particular evaluation, it will be evaluated as best as possible based on publicly available materials only. As these materials are not as comprehensive as a survey, briefing, and demonstration, the possibility exists that the evaluation may not be as thorough or accurate. Since McLean & Company includes vendors regardless of vendor participation, it is always in the vendor s best interest to participate fully. All information is recorded and catalogued, as required, to facilitate scoring and for future reference. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 38

39 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Scoring Once all information has been gathered and evaluated for all vendors and products, the analyst team moves to scoring. All scoring is performed at the same time so as to ensure as much consistency as possible. Each criterion is scored on a ten point scale, though the manner of scoring for criteria differs slightly: Features is scored via Cumulative Scoring Affordability is scored via Scalar Scoring All other criteria are scored via Base5 Scoring In Cumulative Scoring, a single point is assigned to each evaluated feature that is regarded as being fully present, a half point to each feature that is partially present or pending in an upcoming release, and zero points to features that are deemed to be absent. The assigned points are summed and normalized to a value out of ten. For example, if a particular Vendor Landscape evaluates eight specific features in the Feature Criteria, the summed score out of eight for each evaluated product would be multiplied by 1.25 to yield a value out of ten. In Scalar Scoring, a score of ten is assigned to the lowest cost solution, and a score of one is assigned to the highest cost solution. All other solutions are assigned a mathematically determined score based on their proximity to / distance from these two endpoints. For example, in an evaluation of three solutions, where the middle cost solution is closer to the low end of the pricing scale it will receive a higher score, and where it is closer to the high end of the pricing scale it will receive a lower score; depending on proximity to the high or low price it is entirely possible that it could receive either ten points (if it is very close to the lowest price) or one point (if it is very close to the highest price). Where pricing cannot be determined (vendor does not supply price and public sources do not exist), a score of 0 is automatically assigned. In Base5 scoring a number of sub-criteria are specified for each criterion (for example, Longevity, Market Presence, and Financials are subcriteria of the Viability criterion), and each one is scored on the following scale: 5 - The product/vendor is exemplary in this area (nothing could be done to improve the status). 4 - The product/vendor is good in this area (small changes could be made that would move things to the next level). 3 - The product/vendor is adequate in this area (small changes would make it good, more significant changes required to be exemplary). 2 - The product/vendor is poor in this area (this is a notable weakness and significant work is required). 1 - The product/vendor is terrible/fails in this area (this is a glaring oversight and a serious impediment to adoption). The assigned points are summed and normalized to a value out of ten as explained in Cumulative Scoring above. Scores out of ten, known as Raw scores, are transposed as-is into McLean & Company s Vendor Landscape Shortlist Tool, which automatically determines Vendor Landscape positioning (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation - Vendor Landscape, below), Criteria Score (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation - Criteria Score, below), and Value Index (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation - Value Index, below). Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 39

40 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Vendor Landscape McLean & Company s Vendor Landscape is a two-by-two matrix that plots solutions based on the combination of Product score and Vendor score. Placement is not determined by absolute score, but instead by relative score. Relative scores are used to ensure a consistent view of information and to minimize dispersion in nascent markets, while enhancing dispersion in commodity markets to allow for quick visual analysis by clients. Relative scores are calculated as follows: 1. Raw scores are transposed into the McLean & Company Vendor Landscape Shortlist Tool (for information on how Raw scores are determined, see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Scoring, above). 2. Each individual criterion Raw score is multiplied by the pre-assigned weighting factor for the Vendor Landscape in question. Weighting factors are determined prior to the evaluation process to eliminate any possibility of bias. Weighting factors are expressed as a percentage such that the sum of the weighting factors for the Vendor criteria (Viability, Strategy, Reach, Channel) is 100% and the sum of the Product criteria (Features, Usability, Affordability, Architecture) is 100%. 3. A sum-product of the weighted Vendor criteria scores and of the weighted Product criteria scores is calculated to yield an overall Vendor score and an overall Product score. 4. Overall Vendor scores are then normalized to a 20 point scale by calculating the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of the pool of Vendor scores. Vendors for whom their overall Vendor score is higher than the arithmetic mean will receive a normalized Vendor score of (exact value determined by how much higher than the arithmetic mean their overall Vendor score is), while vendors for whom their overall Vendor score is lower than the arithmetic mean will receive a normalized Vendor score of between one and ten (exact value determined by how much lower than the arithmetic mean their overall Vendor score is). 5. Overall Product score is normalized to a 20 point scale according to the same process. 6. Normalized scores are plotted on the matrix, with Vendor score being used as the x-axis, and Product score being used as the y-axis. Vendor Landscape Innovators: solutions with below average Vendor scores and above average Product scores. Emerging Players: solutions with below average Vendor scores and below average Product scores. Champions: solutions with above average Vendor scores and above average Product scores. Market Pillars: solutions with above average Vendor scores and below average Product scores. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 40

41 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Criteria Scores (Harvey Balls) McLean & Company s Criteria Scores are visual representations of the absolute score assigned to each individual criterion, as well as of the calculated overall Vendor and Product scores. The visual representation used is Harvey Balls. Harvey Balls are calculated as follows: 1. Raw scores are transposed into the McLean & Company Vendor Landscape Shortlist Tool (for information on how Raw scores are determined, see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Scoring, above). 2. Each individual criterion Raw score is multiplied by a pre-assigned weighting factor for the Vendor Landscape in question. Weighting factors are determined prior to the evaluation process, based on the expertise of the Senior or Lead Research Analyst, to eliminate any possibility of bias. Weighting factors are expressed as a percentage, such that the sum of the weighting factors for the Vendor criteria (Viability, Strategy, Reach, Channel) is 100%, and the sum of the Product criteria (Features, Usability, Affordability, Architecture) is 100%. 3. A sum-product of the weighted Vendor criteria scores and of the weighted Product criteria scores is calculated to yield an overall Vendor score and an overall Product score. 4. Both overall Vendor score / overall Product score, as well as individual criterion Raw scores are converted from a scale of one to ten to Harvey Ball scores on a scale of zero to four, where exceptional performance results in a score of four and poor performance results in a score of zero. 5. Harvey Ball scores are converted to Harvey Balls as follows: A score of four becomes a full Harvey Ball. A score of three becomes a three-quarter full Harvey Ball. A score of two becomes a half full Harvey Ball. A score of one becomes a one-quarter full Harvey Ball. A score of zero (zero) becomes an empty Harvey Ball. 6. Harvey Balls are plotted by solution in a chart where rows represent individual solutions and columns represent overall Vendor / overall Product, as well as individual criteria. Solutions are ordered in the chart alphabetically by vendor name. Harvey Balls Overall Harvey Balls represent weighted aggregates. Overall Product Vendor Feat. Use. Afford. Arch. Overall Via. Strat. Reach Chan. Criteria Harvey Balls represent individual Raw scores. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 41

42 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Feature Ranks (Stop Lights) McLean & Company s Feature Ranks are visual representations of the presence/availability of individual features that collectively comprise the Features criterion. The visual representation used is Stop Lights. Stop Lights are determined as follows: 1. Scores over 0.7 (out of 1.0) are regarded as being fully present, a score of 0.5 to 0.6 indicates a feature is partially present or pending in an upcoming release, and scores at 0.4 or lower are deemed to be absent. Fully present means all aspects and capabilities of the feature as described are in evidence. Fully absent means inadequate aspects and capabilities of the feature as described are in evidence. Partially present means some, but not all, aspects and capabilities of the feature as described are in evidence, OR all aspects and capabilities of the feature as described are in evidence, but only for some models in a line. Pending means all aspects and capabilities of the feature, as described, are anticipated to be in evidence in a future revision of the product and that revision is to be released within the next 12 months. 2. Feature scores are converted to Stop Lights as follows: 0.7 to 1.0 points become a Green light become a Yellow light. 0.0 to 0.4 points become a Red light. 3. Stop Lights are plotted by solution in a chart where rows represent individual solutions and columns represent individual features. Solutions are ordered in the chart alphabetically by vendor name. For example, a set of applications is being reviewed and a feature of Integration with Mobile Devices that is defined as availability of dedicated mobile device applications for ios, Android, and BlackBerry devices is specified. Solution A provides such apps for all listed platforms and scores Green, solution B provides apps for ios and Android only and scores Yellow, while solution C provides mobile device functionality through browser extensions, has no dedicated apps, and so scores Red. Stop Lights Green means a feature is fully present; Red, fully absent. Features Feature 1 Feature 2 Feature 3 Feature 4 Feature 5 Feature 6 Feature 7 Feature 8 Yellow shows partial availability (such as in some models in a line). Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 42

43 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Price Evaluation McLean & Company s Price Evaluation is a tiered representation of the three year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a proposed solution. McLean & Company uses this method of communicating pricing information to provide high-level budgetary guidance to its end-user clients while respecting the privacy of the vendors with whom it works. The solution TCO is calculated and then represented as belonging to one of ten pricing tiers. Pricing tiers are as follows: 1. Between $1 and $2, Between $2,500 and $5, Between $5,000 and $10, Between $10,000 and $25, Between $25,000 and $50, Between $50,000 and $100, Between $100,000 and $250, Between $250,000 and $500, Between $500,000 and $1,000, Greater than $1,000,000 Where pricing is not provided, McLean & Company makes use of publicly available sources of information to determine a price. As these sources are not official price lists, the possibility exists that they may be inaccurate or outdated, and so the source of the pricing information is provided. Since McLean & Company publishes pricing information regardless of vendor participation, it is always in the vendor s best interest to supply accurate and up to date information. McLean & Company s Price Evaluations are based on pre-defined pricing scenarios (see Product Pricing Scenario, below) to ensure a comparison that is as close as possible between evaluated solutions. Pricing scenarios describe a sample business and solicit guidance as to the appropriate product/service mix required to deliver the specified functionality, the list price for those tools/services, as well as three full years of maintenance and support. Price Evaluation Call-out bubble indicates within which price tier the three year TCO for the solution falls, provides the brackets of that price tier, and links to the graphical representation. 3 year TCO for this solution falls into pricing tier 6, between $50,000 and $100,000. $1 $1M+ Pricing solicited from public sources. Scale along the bottom indicates that the graphic as a whole represents a price scale with a range of $1 to $1M+, while the notation indicates whether the pricing was supplied by the vendor or derived from public sources. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 43

44 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Scenarios McLean & Company s Scenarios highlight specific use cases for the evaluated solution to provide as complete (when taken in conjunction with the individual written review, Vendor Landscape, Criteria Scores, Feature Ranks, and Value Index) a basis for comparison by end-user clients as possible. Scenarios are designed to reflect tiered capability in a particular set of circumstances. Determination of the Scenarios in question is at the discretion of the analyst team assigned to the research project. Where possible, Scenarios are designed to be mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive, or at the very least, hierarchical such that the tiers within the Scenario represent a progressively greater or broader capability. Scenario ranking is determined as follows: 1. The analyst team determines an appropriate use case. For example: Clients that have multinational presence and require vendors to provide four hour onsite support. 2. The analyst team establishes the various tiers of capability. For example: Presence in Americas Presence in EMEA Presence in APAC 3. The analyst team reviews all evaluated solutions and determines which ones meet which tiers of capability. For example: Presence in Americas Presence in EMEA Presence in APAC Vendor A, Vendor C, Vendor E Vendor A, Vendor B, Vendor C Vendor B, Vendor D, Vendor E 4. Solutions are plotted on a grid alphabetically by vendor by tier. Where one vendor is deemed to be stronger in a tier than other vendors in the same tier, they may be plotted non-alphabetically. For example: Vendor C is able to provide four hour onsite support to 12 countries in EMEA while Vendors A and B are only able to provide four hour onsite support to eight countries in EMEA; Vendor C would be plotted first, followed by Vendor A, then Vendor B. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 44

45 Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Vendor Awards At the conclusion of all analyses, McLean & Company presents awards to exceptional solutions in three distinct categories. Award presentation is discretionary; not all awards are extended subsequent to each Vendor landscape and it is entirely possible, though unlikely, that no awards may be presented. Awards categories are as follows: Champion Awards are presented to those solutions, and only those solutions, that land in the Champion zone of the McLean & Company Vendor Landscape (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation - Vendor Landscape, above). If no solutions land in the Champion zone, no Champion Awards are presented. Similarly, if multiple solutions land in the Champion zone, multiple Champion Awards are presented. Trend Setter Awards are presented to those solutions, and only those solutions, that are deemed to include the most original/inventive product/service, or the most original/inventive feature/capability of a product/service. If no solution is deemed to be markedly or sufficiently original/inventive, either as a product/service on the whole or by feature/capability specifically, no Trend Setter Award is presented. Only one Trend Setter Award is available for each Vendor Landscape. Best Overall Value Awards are presented to those solutions, and only those solutions, that are ranked highest on the Mclean & Company Value Index (see Vendor Landscape Methodology: Information Presentation Value Index, above). If insufficient pricing information is made available for the evaluated solutions, such that a Value Index cannot be calculated, no Best Overall Value Award will be presented. Only one Best Overall Value Award is available for each Vendor Landscape. Vendor Awards McLean & Company s Champion Award is presented to solutions in the Champion zone of the Vendor Landscape. McLean & Company s Trend Setter Award is presented to the most original/inventive solution evaluated. McLean & Company s Best Overall Value Award is presented to the solution with the highest Value Index score. Vendor Landscape: Talent Management Suites 45