Why training and User Adoption matters: Part 2

Part 2 – The importance of Strategic Technology.

When it comes to implementing technology, there is a sweet spot for adoption that sits at the intersection between understanding, purpose and direction. 

In the era of Shadow IT, Governance is a big issue. If technology is implemented with understanding and purpose, but no clear direction, it’s likely to result in a lack of governance. An example of this might be an individual that starts using a cloud based service to solve a problem. They are using it well as they’ve taken the time to understand it, it serves a purpose and solves their problem, but it sits outside of their company’s direction and creates a governance issue. 

If something is implemented with understanding and direction, but serves no real purpose, or is redundant, the time and money spent implementing the solution and training people on how to use it is effectively wasted.

The scenario that has the most potential for a positive transformation is where there is direction and purpose, but our users don’t really understand how to use the new technology. When technology is implemented but not understood, it results in an absence of real, meaningful and productive adoption. A solution can be underutilised or just not used at all. 

This will also result in a poor return on investment, but when the main blocker to getting our adoption in the sweet spot is a lack of understanding, this simply presents an opportunity, because of the three concepts, understanding is the one we can have the most impact on.

A strategic approach to technology adoption needs to be:

• Driven by governance and purpose
• Supported and nurtured by understanding
• Focused on positively impacting the relationship between people, process and information

When we are evaluating technology services, this should translate into four questions:

Does this fit with our vision and direction?

Which always begs the bigger question of, do we know where we’re going and what methods we need to employ to get there?

Why is it needed, what purpose does it serve us?

There is little point implementing technology if it doesn’t support your goals or enhance the relationship between your people, their information and their processes.

What are the expected business outcomes?

When technology implementations are goal orientated, it makes it easier for people to relate to the why, getting buy in from the team becomes a matter of focusing everyone around common goals, and helps to deal with the innate resistance to change that we humans tend to have.

And, most importantly - Will our people understand how to maximise its potential? 

Technology implementation is only as successful as its adoption. If you don’t use it, you lose it.  Unfortunately, this last question is often taken for granted.

Previous: Part 1 - Manage the fluidity of changing technology.

Next up: Part 3 – Highlighting the business value of Technology.