Software Rollout 101: How to change team behavior without draining morale
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Rolling out new software can be daunting but the benefits to be had are numerous. When it comes time to roll out new software it’s essential you have a plan in place. With the right strategy, your new software will benefit your company without draining morale. Here’s a primer on successfully deploying new software.
Understand Your Position
There’s an old saying: You can’t plan where you’re going if you don’t know where you are. When planning new software rollouts you have to have a clear idea of where your business stands at the moment.
For example, perhaps you’re a small business moving into the mid-sized market. Implementing business software to aid your bookkeeping and accounting processes is ideal because you’ll be better able to understand your cash flow and expenses. Without first knowing where your business stands, you won’t be able to properly plan for where it’s heading.
Establish an Objective
You’ve done the research. You understand why certain software is a benefit to your organization, but that doesn’t mean your employees are on the same page.
Let’s take our example: you’re rolling out new bookkeeping software. You should loop your employees in early to the benefits of switching from old processes. Perhaps your new software provides critical functions the old one didn’t. Make your employees aware of these in the planning stages and you’ll be better positioned to roll out your new software smoothly.
If your employees work on an intranet network, keep them up-to-date on your rollout by creating an eye-catching banner for your site. Simply use an online banner template that you can customize with your own copy, font, colors, and more.
Make New Processes Clear
New software is just that: new. It will take some time to get your employees up to speed with it. When it comes time to train your workers on the new processes involved in your software, ensure they’re accessible and clear. For example, when rolling out new bookkeeping and accounting software, you might draft written processes and keep them in a central location for employees to access. TPC Training notes that for some employees, additional training may need to be done down the road.
Understand User Needs
No two departments will use the same piece of software the same way. In order to ensure your software rollout runs smoothly, you have to understand how each employee will use it.
For instance, your accounting team will use new bookkeeping software very differently to your design department. You must plan for these different uses and ensure your new software is benefiting everyone from the top level down.
Make Training a Priority
Software training can seem superfluous but in reality, it’s the only way for an organization to get the most out of its new processes. When rolling out new software to your business, you have to make training a priority. When choosing new software, ensure its rollout includes training processes.
Roll Out New Software Smoothly
Change is hard, and so rolling out new software within your business can be a complicated process. However, just because it’s daunting doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Rolling out new software smoothly and effectively is within reach!
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