What's right and what's wrong with laboratory information system requests for proposals

Using a formal request for proposal (RFP) has been widely promoted as an essential phase of laboratory information system (LIS) selection and acquisition. Recently, stories of system or project failure--despite adherence to the RFP procedure--have increased. Case reports suggest that the RFP itself may sometimes hinder, rather than facilitate, the system selection process. As with any tool, the RFP has strengths and weaknesses, either of which may predominate depending on how the tool is used. Laboratories should be aware of alternatives to the formal RFP and should view the RFP as part of an integrated process of system evaluation and selection.