A Critical Examination of the Checklist Approach in Software Selection

Abstract

This article surveys existing checklists and investigates the extent to which they enable the expression of useful assessments for software selection purposes. Significant problems and limitations of the checklist approach to software selection are noted, particularly an emphasis on predominantly technical attributes of packages at the expense of consideration of broader classroom environments and activities, learning processes and other educational issues. We make a clear distinction between the processes of software selection and software evaluation, and argue that failure in the past to regard this distinction as important has led to the use of checklists, a valuable tool in evaluation, as well in the selection process to which they are not well suited. An alternative approach to software selection is outlined.