Over the past weeks, we’ve laid the foundation for why project management helps in technology and system projects. This week is the final blog in our series. So, what are we focusing on? The final stage of any technology/system: Adoption and Use. People make the mistake of thinking once a system/technology is implemented, the work is done. But this way of thinking can lead to huge business problems. We want to make sure this doesn’t happen to you! Read below to learn three key areas project management helps with adoption and use:
Addresses Fears
We need to realize that in any area of life and business, there is often fear around change. The Pandemic can make change even more challenging, especially for employees, as we all navigate the uncertainty of our reality. Introducing new systems and technologies is especially challenging right now, but arguably more important than ever. Millan Alvarez Miranda and Michael D. Watkins pointed out, “As we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis, companies will need to drive short-term results while also rethinking strategy amid seismic shifts in competitive environments and ways of working. It’s not strategy vs. execution; it’s strategy and execution with the right balance in the right timeframes.” Project management can facilitate the balance between strategy and execution by addressing the fear of change employees may have and removing the barriers it creates. How? By first acknowledging it. Then by showing employees how the new system/technology will actually save them time and effort. Project managers are able to show employees how the new system/technology will make their lives easier. This makes people excited to use and learn the new system and removes the internal resistance to change.
Training
Any new system/technology will require some training to get employees and stakeholders using it. A good project manager will build this training into all areas of the project. More importantly, they will tailor the training for each user/stakeholder. This has proven to be extremely successful at creating adoption, because it does not overwhelm people with too much information. Chances are, not all users need to know how to use an entire system/technology. They need to know the parts required to do their jobs, and that it is. Making sure the training is tailored this way increases participation and buy-in on the system. This is a great example of how project management removes another system/technology barrier to ensure the project is successful.
Bigger Picture
To feel invested in, and therefore want to use/adopt a new system/technology, people need to understand the bigger role it plays. They want to know there is a reason for this change. Project management builds in understanding around the bigger impact throughout the entire project, especially during implementation and beyond. Project managers show why the system matters and how it will help employees and clients. By showing employees how a system truly modernizes their efforts, project management builds motivation to use the new system/technology. This motivation will help overcome any barriers that can arise and can be used to help onboard future employees/stakeholders.
As our blogs the last few weeks have shown, project management helps in all areas of a technology/system project. The three areas we focused on (Leadership, Planning + Implementation, Adoption + Use) are the biggest, but there are many grey areas between. Instead of thinking of technology/systems and project management as two separate things, start realizing that they are closely tied together. In the past year and a half we’ve all seen how important and beneficial new systems/technology can be. It has also been a steep learning curve, but with effective project management, it doesn’t need to be. Next time you have a new technology/system project, invest in a good project manager. Your employees, timeline and budget will thank you!