For example, according to a survey by the consulting firm Gartner, 69% of organizations report that they have accelerated their digital business initiatives and the implementation of technological innovations, thus increasing the volume, frequency and complexity of change.
Behind a technological project there are strategic decisions and a lot of investment. That is why it is so important to properly manage and activate technological change so that all the people involved really adopt the new tools, platforms, technological environments, migrations and upgrades.
According to an analysis, also by Gartner, only a third of change initiatives are successful in organizations. Why do these transformation processes fail? The absence of a change plan, ineffective communication, and failure to involve people at the right time can cause users to not see the value of the new solution, prefer to stay in their comfort zone, or mistrust the reasons of change, which can make any technological implementation fail.
But then, what things must be considered so that users really adopt the tools involved in new technological projects?
In principle, it is key to design an appropriate technological change management program, which is what ultimately reduces resistance, improves communication, and addresses the challenges inherent in major change.
The purpose of this plan should be to implement strategies to effect change, control it, and help people adapt to it. In addition, you must consider how modifying or replacing a solution will affect processes, systems, and employees within the organization.
In short, it is about laying the foundations for a positive experience, while mitigating the negative ones.
Digital transformation processes
Many times change is inevitable, but it should not be disruptive. With effective change management, it is possible to give employees what they need to stay productive, gain experience, and increase ROI for the organization.
To achieve greater adoption of the technologies that are implemented, it is important to accept the leadership, which for example understands the value of the new software and the reasons that motivate its implementation. You should also assess how the new technology will impact the culture of the company.
Also, it is very important to set and communicate clear goals and build a technology change management team that blends different skills and personalities. You can even define a strategy based on the delivery of a minimum viable product (MVP) and iterative incremental processes.
According to research, more than 80% of organizations manage change from the top down, and this strategy “is fundamentally disconnected from the current workflow and is actually slowing organizations down.” One study indicates that more inclusive strategies work better: “The best organizations trust their workforce, not executives, to lead change.” That is why it is key to involve employees in the decision-making process, consider their needs and opinions, and add technical training programs to support them. Change plans need to be open and accept employees as active participants in their planning and implementation.
Change management
Research suggests that organizations are six times more likely to meet project objectives and twice as likely to stay within budget when operating with a change management strategy. On the other hand, an adequate digital change management plan offers several advantages:
- It promotes the fulfillment of the purpose for which it is decided to carry out a technological project.
- Achieve an agile, lasting and effective change that replaces old habits.
- Optimize communication and training.
- Unifies processes and provides clarity on tasks, avoiding rework.
At Baufest we accompany these transformation processes with a change management program that starts from a diagnosis of the current state of the situation, coaching and mentoring sponsors, early and timely involvement of all project participants and transparent and effective communication through milestones.