- Adoption: What good is new software if you can’t get anyone to use it? Successful adoption means having your team fully realize the benefits of your new software and how it can positively affect them and the company.
- Executive buy-in: The boss’s opinion is critical when it comes to the new workflows and big decisions that come with a software implementation. Their support can make the difference between a successful and a failed implementation.
- Run a pilot: When applicable, start with a small rollout to identify difficulties and frequently asked questions before everyone gets involved. It’s more efficient to note specific things to cover during training instead of answering the same question 50 times over.
- Have a champion: Choose someone to be an advocate and office expert on the software. Have a clear contact point for any questions throughout the process.
- Set expectations and goals: Clear benchmarks will help you measure your success throughout the process.
- Document key decisions (and why): Nothing is worse than wondering, “Why did we do that?” and then changing your mind, only to realize why you made that decision in the first place. Document any key decisions to ensure you understand the why behind them in case they get called into question in the future.
- Invest in continuing education: Consider planning regular training to make sure the software is utilized in the most efficient way possible and that you stay up to date on the latest features.
