Template: Tool Comparison
This template provides a simple tabular format for comparing tool features.
Relationships
Main Description

Compare Features and Functions

Using the list of features and functions, decide how important each feature or function is for you. The following ranking can be used:

  • 'Must'. The tool must have this feature.
  • 'Nice'. The feature would be nice to have, but it is not critical.
  • 'Not required'. It does not matter whether to tool has the feature or not. 

Indicate for each tool whether it has the feature or not using the following symbols:

Symbol  

Description 

has the feature 
-     lacks the feature 

Document all features and functions in a table, and rank how important they are. Indicate for each tool, whether it has the feature or not. The table below is a fraction of a comparison between three configuration management tools. 

Features & Functions 

Rank 

Tool 1 

Tool 2 

Tool 3 

Versions all file system objects  Must 
Versions directories  Must 
Mixing of file types  Must 
Compresses text and binaries  Nice 
...  ...  ...  ...  ... 

Compare Tool and Vendors Criteria

You need to compare the tools in all other factors, except the features. To get an overview of the tools, we recommend that you document the overview in a table, such as the table below. Briefly describe your needs and constraints for each factor. Give each factor a weight to indicate how important this factor is to you. For example, use a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 means that the factor is very important. 

Grade each tool (and vendor) in the following criteria. You can use a scale from 1 to 5:

  1. Useless in this area
  2. Weak or has some serious shortcomings. 
  3. Adequate in this area.
  4. Better than average in this area. 
  5. Excellent in this area.

Document the comparison in a table such as the following table. 

Tool Criteria 

Comments 

Tool 1  

Tool 2 

Tool 3 

Features & 
Functions 
           
Integration             
Applicability             
Extendibility             
Team support             
Usability             
Quality             
Performance             
Maturity             

Vendor Criteria 

           
Stability             
Support availability             
Training availability             
Growth direction             

Compare Cost

Compare the cost of each tool and document it in a table, such as below. Grade each cost as 'Low', 'Medium' or 'High'. 

Cost 

Comments 

Tool 1  

Tool 2 

Tool 3 

Acquisition cost             
Implementation cost             
Maintenance cost