AI Vendor Scorecard Template
A structured scorecard for evaluating and comparing AI vendors across capability, integration, pricing, security, and strategic fit. Helps procurement teams and technology leaders make objective, defensible vendor selection decisions.
Overview
What's included
Evaluation Criteria & Weights
Evaluation Criteria & Weights
How to Use This Scorecard
Score each vendor from 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent) on each criterion. Multiply by the weight to get a weighted score. Total all weighted scores for the final ranking.
Criteria Weighting
Adjust weights (must total 100%) based on your priorities:
| # | Category | Weight | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Core Capability & Accuracy | % (suggested: 25%) | Does the solution solve our problem? |
| 2 | Integration & Compatibility | % (suggested: 15%) | How easily does it fit our stack? |
| 3 | Scalability & Performance | % (suggested: 10%) | Can it handle our growth? |
| 4 | Security & Compliance | % (suggested: 15%) | Does it meet our regulatory needs? |
| 5 | Pricing & Total Cost | % (suggested: 15%) | Is it affordable long-term? |
| 6 | Support & SLA | % (suggested: 10%) | Will we get help when we need it? |
| 7 | Vendor Viability & Roadmap | % (suggested: 10%) | Will they be around in 3 years? |
| Total | 100% |
Vendor Comparison Matrix
Vendor Comparison Matrix
Use case being evaluated: Evaluation date: Evaluation team:
Scoring (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent)
| Criterion | Weight | Vendor A: ___ | Vendor B: ___ | Vendor C: ___ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Capability & Accuracy | ||||
| Solves our specific use case | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Model accuracy / quality | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Customisability / fine-tuning | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Integration | ||||
| API quality and documentation | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Compatibility with our tech stack | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Implementation timeline | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Scalability | ||||
| Throughput / latency at scale | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Multi-region / multi-tenant | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Security & Compliance | ||||
| Data processing location | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Certifications (SOC2, ISO27001) | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| GDPR / data protection | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Pricing | ||||
| Upfront cost | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Ongoing / usage-based cost | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Total cost of ownership (3yr) | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Support | ||||
| SLA (uptime, response time) | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Onboarding and training | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Vendor Viability | ||||
| Financial stability | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Product roadmap alignment | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| Customer references | _% | /5 | /5 | /5 |
| WEIGHTED TOTAL | 100% |
Reference Check Questions
Reference Check Questions
Ask each vendor to provide 2-3 customer references. Use these questions:
Implementation
- How long did the implementation take from contract signing to production?
- Were there any unexpected costs or delays during implementation?
- How would you rate the vendor's project management during deployment?
Day-to-Day Use
- How accurate and reliable is the AI solution in production?
- How often do you experience downtime or performance issues?
- How responsive is customer support when you raise an issue?
Value & ROI
- What measurable business outcomes have you achieved?
- How does the actual cost compare to what was quoted?
- Would you choose this vendor again if starting from scratch?
Red Flags
- What has been the biggest challenge working with this vendor?
- Is there anything you wish you had known before signing the contract?
- How has the vendor handled feature requests or product feedback?
Notes from Reference Calls
Vendor A — Reference 1: Vendor A — Reference 2: Vendor B — Reference 1: Vendor B — Reference 2: Vendor C — Reference 1: Vendor C — Reference 2:
Instructions
How to use this template
Define your requirements
Before scoring vendors, write a clear requirements document listing must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers.
Set your weights
Adjust the category weights to reflect your organisation's priorities. Security-sensitive industries should weight compliance higher.
Score each vendor independently
Have 2-3 evaluators score each vendor separately, then average scores to reduce bias.
Conduct reference checks
Speak to at least 2 existing customers per vendor. Use the reference check questions as a guide.
Make your recommendation
Present the weighted totals alongside qualitative notes. The highest score may not always be the best fit — use judgement.
Watch Out
Common mistakes to avoid
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Evaluate 3-5 vendors for a thorough comparison. Fewer than 3 limits your perspective; more than 5 becomes unwieldy and slows decision-making.
Yes, strongly recommended. A 2-4 week proof of concept with your own data reveals performance differences that demos and datasheets cannot. Test with 2 finalists to keep it manageable.
Request a detailed quote for your expected usage volume. If a vendor refuses to provide transparent pricing, consider it a red flag for budget predictability.
At minimum, look for SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 for security. For personal data processing, ensure GDPR compliance and ask about Data Processing Agreements. Industry-specific certifications (HIPAA, FCA) may also be required.
Check funding history, customer count, revenue growth, and team size. Ask about their runway and largest customers. Consider contract clauses that protect you if the vendor shuts down (source code escrow, data export guarantees).
Need a custom AI template?
Our team can build tailored templates for your specific business needs. Book a free strategy call.