4 Tips for Successful Software Implementation in Your Construction Business
The 2017 JBKnowledge survey shows that construction technology is a growing industry. Construction software and construction technology can improve companies. They make your construction business more productive and use fewer resources. New construction software can be a great investment for your business; however, you have to implement it to see the full results. Implementation can be a long and arduous process, but here are some tips to jump-start your successful software implementation.
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Set Implementation Milestones
The first step in successful software implementation is to set your milestones and goals. These goals and milestones are going to look different depending on what software you chose. If you wanted a time card system, the goal will be to have everyone using the time card system. Or it could be to successfully push the information from the time cards into your accounting software. Regardless, it’s important to set goals and milestones you want to hit.
This helps you know the health of the implementation process. It helps you know what needs to be changed and what is working. Your customer support representative is a great person to contact if you need help setting the milestones and goals. They’re experts in the software and are there to help you get the most out of it.
Start Small
Starting small, or Micro-Learning, is one of the easiest ways to adopt and implement new technology. It involves focusing on one feature and learning that feature before moving on to another feature. It works especially well with projects you’re just about to start. You can start with document management or document creation at the beginning of a project. From there you can upload or create current project schedules that you can use as references.
Another option is to pick the feature that sold you on the product and work on implementing that one feature. That way you get your preferred use out of the product first and foremost.
Take Advantage of Training
Take advantage of any and all training provided by your software provider. They’ve curated resources to help you throughout every stage of implementation. You can choose a couple of ways to train. You can have your most tech-savvy team train on the new software first. This gives you a team of in-house trainers. They will know how to open the software, create documents, clock in, etc. They will be able to help others learn how to use the basics of the software.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you should forego any training. Your customer support representative is there to see you succeed. They’ll be able to help with any questions you might have. They’ll also have tips to help you implement. They can help you create your milestones and set realistic steps to help you get there.
Prepare for Challenges
One of the easiest ways to successfully implement software is by preparing for any challenges. The three biggest challenges to successful software implementation are staff resistance, staff conflicts of interest, and a lack of consequences. Recognizing these challenges at the beginning will help you implement the software. If you identify who is open to the new technology and who isn’t, it allows you the ability to explain the situation to them. You can explain to your staff what software you are getting, the goals for the software, and the consequences of choosing not to use it. If you’re transparent about the goals and consequences of not using it, it can make the process much smoother.
The Harvard Business Review claims that raising the professional cost for not using the software is an easy way to increase adoption. Raising the professional cost can range from missing tasks assigned in the software or requiring a feature to be used every day. That way if they’re refusing to use the software, then they aren’t doing a part of their jobs.
Successful Software Implementation
Every company should strive towards successful software implementation because it is a possibility. Successful software implementation is a multi-part process. Recognizing potential challenges and finding ways to mitigate them clears the way for implementation milestones. You lay a great foundation for implementation by working with your employees and customer service representative to set realistic goals and milestones. These and tips like these will help you establish a clear path to success.
