Decisions, decisions. When the economy’s down, stress goes up. What better way to alleviate all that tension than endlessly examining and evaluating potential business solutions?

It’s a great way to pass the time, and gives the thinker a productive diversion from negative Wall Street and Main Street reports. “I’m not just sitting in limbo. I’m carefully considering all the options, to make the best buying decision in these tough times,” the analyst will rationalize.

Careful evaluation and in-depth investigation is healthy and responsible. Never-ending decision-making is analysis paralysis—a malady that’s cropping up more frequently as economic conditions go down.

In many ways, analysis paralysis is worse than downsizing. As Theodore Roosevelt said so eloquently, “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Be incisive, then be decisive. Especially when it comes to accounting solutions, you don’t want to make the wrong decision. But doing nothing may lead to your undoing. Here are some ways to help drive effective decision-making about accounting system software in these decidedly unclear times:

1. Set an accounting system software decision deadline at the outset. Put yourself on a specific timeline, and stick with it. Don’t be arbitrary with setting the deadline. Make sure you give yourself enough time to complete a careful accounting services evaluation; just don’t set the deadline so far forward that it disappears amid all the other important issues.

2. Establish your “wish list” of accounting services. Give yourself a finite, concrete list of prospective accounting solutions at the outset. Along with a timeline, this will help define your responsibilities—and minimize the possibility of accounting software analysis paralysis.

3. Give yourself an accounting software “allowance.” As a starting point, find the “book rates” for accounting system software that you’re considering, then establish your top tolerance for pricing. For example, if you’re considering Microsoft Dynamics® GP, first get pricing from Microsoft and/or a Microsoft partner. Once you’ve figured out what you’re willing to budget, then you can start shopping for deals. And, believe, me they’re out there.

By putting some form around the accounting software search at the beginning, you can come much closer to assuring yourself of a happy ending.

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