In last week’s blog, I walked through many of the important questions we need to be asking before we make a big technology investment: who, what, when, and why? Once we address those, a bigger question becomes more prominent: the how? That’s right! Now we are critical juncture of asking how do we implement this technology? What key steps do we take? Answering this question is a bit more complicated but is critical to a successful technology implementation.
Let’s assume you already know you are going to implement a piece of technology. You recognize there is a need inside your organization, you know this piece of technology will meet that need, and you have done an ROI (return on investment) analysis, and this specific system will likely yield the results you are seeking. What’s next? This step-by-step guide will help you unravel what to do after you have purchased a new piece of technology.
First, identify your lead and team. One person should be held accountable for the rollout of the new system. In addition, your lead person should work with a team to identify the best way to implement the new system. Each stakeholder should have a say in how the technology is rolled out across the organization. This team should also work with key stakeholders outside of the organization, such as the technology provider and any third-party consultants that are helping with the rollout.
Second, create an implementation plan and timeline. There is no good time to implement new technology. Work is always busy. Clients always need something. Still, there might be a better time implement new technology. Maybe it is after a big project closes out. Maybe it is over the holidays when things are a little bit slower. Each company can best determine the timeline based on employee and client needs. Also, in this phase make sure to identify a new process roadmap as well. Because, as technologies change, process will change as well.
Third, move or set up integrations for any data that needs to be moved. This is perhaps the trickiest step in the process. In all likelihood, data is either going to need to be moved or integrated with another system. In some cases, it is simply a matter of getting the team together to make this happen. In other cases, it will require tapping the technology provider for some ideas. In the most extreme cases, it will require hiring an outside company to integrate everything. But make sure you keep your eye on the data and how it needs to flow throughout the organization.
Fourth, train, train, train. Make sure to train everyone on both the new technologies and the new processes that will come because of the new technologies. Technology is only as successful as the people who are using it. We need to make sure we are teaching everyone how to use it to see the best results for the organization.
Fifth, constantly reevaluate if it is working or needs to be adjusted. After six months, consider if the technology is working. Is it accomplishing the goals that were set forth by the company? Is it meeting the objectives that were initially established? If not, perhaps something needs to be adjusted with either the technology, the process, or both.
A final consideration: The team itself. It’s never a bad idea to evaluate whether the team is moving off the path that was originally set. Review the objectives and make sure the technology still aligns with the goals everyone originally set at the start of the journey.
New technologies bring new opportunities, but it also brings a new way of doing business. Companies must be prepared for the next wave of innovation and take the right steps to successful technology implementation.
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