5 Questions to Ask Before Implementing a Technology Change

Are you excited about innovative technology solutions and looking to optimize your workflow by tapping into the ever-evolving tools out there?

Change is experienced and perceived differently by everyone. Some will embrace it, others will resist, but change is always difficult.

Planning the rollout and mitigating risks will certainly contribute to success while ensuring you get the most out of your investment. To build a solid plan, it pays to consider the users first.

The technical side of a change is only the tip of the iceberg. There are a host of variables to take into account, and to help you navigate technology changes (because they are far from over), here are 5 questions to ask before making a change to your IT environment:

• The target — What will/should change? You first need to identify every change required in an environment, no matter how small. Start with a review of the critical elements that need refreshing as soon as possible. Then move on to the less critical elements that may become critical soon. Finish with those that add value and therefore do not put the environment at risk.

In other words, answering this question identifies the change and its risk factor within the environment.

• Its impact

What does the change mean for users, processes, and technology? Communication is essential—make sure you have a strategy to help employees adapt to the change.

For example, strategies might include training or a conversation over coffee to determine whether and how the change affects the workflow. Staying attuned to how employees interact with the technology in question can make all the difference.

• The date and time — When is the best time, and how long, to implement a change? It is rarely the right moment to introduce a new change, but it is certainly possible to choose the right time to roll out a transformation. A change made too quickly could cause disruptions, while a change that drags on could dilute the benefits.

For example, if users are still adjusting to a recent change, it may be worth waiting until they are comfortable with the new transition so as not to rush them with another change too soon.

• Who is responsible? Accountability. You need to know who you can count on to see a change through. Several vendors may be involved, so you need to know which one to contact if something goes wrong. Keep the details of a key contact on hand who will know how to address the situation.

This can avoid the ping-pong between participants, streamline coordination, and build the confidence to move forward with the change.

• And then what? — Post-implementation: Who do I contact for support? Any change can cause unexpected interruptions. You need to be able to rely on contacts in case of emergency. Knowing who to call when service goes down can be crucial to mitigating financial impacts, impacts on users, and impacts on the company's operations.

Once a change is successfully completed, the work is not over. There is still the user adaptation phase. Supporting employees through the various stages of a technology change can be decisive for their overall experience at the company.

Another aspect of change to consider is the rollback. If the change does not go as planned, it is important to have a rollback plan and not hesitate to execute it when necessary. Sometimes you have to take one step back before taking two steps forward.

With innovative solutions as our position in the industry, we have built experience with users of every type of role and skill level, as well as with processes across different fields.

MMO Techno makes technology change management easier by taking charge of the company's IT side.

Need help or have any questions whatsoever? Do not hesitate to contact us—we would be happy to chat!