Technology is a key driver of change in today’s fast-paced business landscape. With new digital solutions emerging all the time, it’s vital to ensure your organisation has a robust technology implementation strategy in place.
Businesses that develop reliable support strategies for implementing new technology can expect to harness greater benefits than those that don’t. This blog will show you how to create a technology implementation roadmap and plan to give your business the best chance of success.
What does technology implementation mean?
Adopting new technologies in the workplace can be challenging. Will your employees struggle to adapt to new systems? Will they resist the prospect of change?
A well-defined technology implementation strategy helps teams understand the multistep process for integrating new technologies into existing business operations, often by putting customer needs first.
Introducing new technology while ensuring seamless service delivery can be a daunting prospect that requires a dynamic balancing act. You’ll want to simultaneously maintain efficiencies across all teams, continue to serve your customers well and embrace the new tech with minimal disruption to workflows and processes.
From testing to staff training and from rollout to monitoring, here are 10 steps to creating successful support strategies for implementing new technology.
10 steps for creating a successful technology implementation strategy
If you’re looking to adopt new technologies, it’s important to have an implementation plan in place. Not only will this avoid unnecessary disruption, but it will also give the new tech the best chance of success.
Here’s what a technology implementation plan might typically look like:
1. Identify the reasons for adopting new technology
The first step in a technology implementation strategy is to identify the key issues you are trying to address through the adoption of new tech.
Establish precisely what you’re aiming to achieve from the outset. Then work out whether a new plan is worth your time and investment and if it will solve the problems and challenges that have come to light.
Consider running diagnostics across teams and departments to uncover the major challenges facing employees. Listen to the feedback and look for specific pinch points that are harming workflows and reducing productivity. Understanding which issues can be solved through technology implementation will also help persuade stakeholders that it’s a solution worth pursuing.
2. Learn about the new tech
New technology is exciting, but it can also be daunting when not approached with the right mindset. Whether you’re looking to build a platform to process big data, or streamline outdated processes, you must have a clear understanding of the new tech’s full features and capabilities.
Organise employee training sessions and practical workshops or take advantage of free online trials to enhance your knowledge of your new technology and software. By familiarising yourself with the technology you are already on a journey to its successful implementation.
Explore all options available to you based on software capabilities, usability, scalability, cost and more. This will enable you to get maximum value out of the technology and embrace the positive changes it can bring.
3. Form an experienced team
The next step in a technology implementation strategy is to put together an experienced delivery team. Each member should complement the process and provide genuine value and insight.
A team’s size should be in relation to the size of the organisation – small businesses may only require two or three individuals whereas large companies are likely to require much bigger teams to support more challenging projects.
These teams play an important role at the beginning of the strategy by working out logistics and material requirements so the process gets off to a winning start.
4. Secure approval from stakeholders
Before you activate your technology implementation plan, you’ll need approval from key stakeholders of the business on the problems you’ve identified, the solution you’re proposing, and the team you’ve put together to tackle the issues.
Getting stakeholders on board early in the process will make them feel involved, and they’re more likely to give the project their full backing and support.
At this point, don’t be dismayed by negative feedback but attempt to work through these issues and bottlenecks to build stakeholder confidence in the technology implementation strategy that has been devised.
5. Create a complete system map
When building a tech implementation plan, you should always map out what the new system will look like and include what the journey involves for both customers and employees. Consider the potential impact on various departments and involve key stakeholders who can provide fresh perspectives.
At this point in the plan, it’s wise to begin testing systems from a user perspective to discover how everything works in practice. Not only will this identify any teething problems in the software or hardware, but it will help form a clear picture of how this technology could be fully implemented in the future, assess how it may perform, and how it may achieve optimum operational efficiency.
As is generally the case, this step in the process aims to ensure all new tech is easy for users to navigate from the outset.
6. Test, test and test some more
You’ve run some initial tests – now it’s time to develop a test pilot programme for the new solution. This process should take place before your strategy is rolled out across the wider company.
Again, this stage is designed to identify any problems and inefficiencies that may occur within various departments and teams. It’s important to remember that most technology implementation strategies are long and involve thorough processes requiring significant investment of time and resources. For this reason, trialling new tech in smaller, targeted tests can be essential to the success of the entire project.
So, rather than rolling out a new project software across the company as a whole, trial it within one department initially to see how it performs. If successful, move into the next stage of the rollout.
7. Ensure employees are fully trained
If your test pilot programme has been a success, it’s time to train employees to use the new system and increase awareness across departments.
Arrange a variety of training sessions that cover all aspects of the new technology implementation process. Provide practical demonstrations and hands-on sessions allowing workers to try out the tech for themselves and raise any issues or sticking points.
Proper training ensures employees fully understand the system’s capabilities, features and functionality so they feel confident using the new technology before it officially goes live. Also, businesses can monitor the feedback given by employees to arrange further training and support where required. That way, they’ll be ready and equipped to use the technology in their role.
8. Launch the new technology
You’ve closely followed each step of the technology implementation plan, and you’re satisfied with the results – now it’s time to launch the new system.
At this late stage in the process, it’s often helpful to have people present from your implementation team to provide help and support for workers who may experience problems with the system.
Once any early bumps in the road have been navigated, your new tech should be running smoothly and effectively across the business.
9. Monitor results closely
Your new technology is in place and your system is up and running – but the work doesn’t stop there. You’ll still need to perform ongoing maintenance and solve problems if and when they arise.
It is advisable to consult with workers and invite critical feedback to identify potential weaknesses in the system. This will enable your implementation team to arrange further staff training where required or make minor amendments to the system so it runs smoothly.
10. Provide employee incentives
Offering employees incentives to learn and adopt new technologies is a great way to ensure their success in the workplace.
You don’t want your new tech to feel like a disruption to normal work processes and routines. Consider introducing a series of incentives that reward workers for their positive and active participation in the system that’s just been rolled out.
Whether it’s performance bonuses, career opportunities, or recognition programmes, providing incentives will motivate employees and help businesses achieve greater success with the new technology.
Need help with your technology implementation strategy?
At Valcon, we have years of global experience in successful business transformation by combining technology, data and consulting. If your organisation needs support with new technology implementation, contact us today.
