Effective Software Selections: Best Practices and Tips
Can Software Selections Fail?
It’s very well documented that around 70% of IT project implementations fail. Whether it’s inadequate stakeholder engagement, poor planning, or the one of other various ways an implementation can go wrong, companies have failed internal projects all the time.
McKinsey & Co. reports that ERP projects specifically fail up to 75% of the time. Similarly, CIO notes that about one-third of CRM implementations fail. Additionally, Josh Bersin reports that 2 out of 5 HCM implementations fail.
When investigating the reasons behind these failures, it often comes down to companies choosing to implement systems that do not meet their needs. This highlights that software selections can fail, and some of the extreme examples incurred millions of dollars in costs because of it.
Whether it’s the mistakes during the requirements gathering process or one of the common software selection pitfalls, we’ve put together a list of tips to help make your projects successful.
1. Simplify the Selection Process
One of the biggest challenges in implementing technology is the tendency to overcomplicate the selection process.
Many organizations get bogged down in exhaustive requirements gathering and analysis, creating thousands of requirements that leads to analysis paralysis.
To avoid this, focus on key differentiators and leverage industry knowledge to quickly narrow down your options.
Distinguishing between must-have features and nice-to-have features can prevent the process from becoming unmanageable.
Streamlining your requirements to focus on core business needs can expedite the selection process and ensure that the technology you choose aligns closely with your strategic goals.
Simplification allows for a more agile and responsive selection process, helping to maintain momentum and reduce the risk of delays.
2. Focus on Future State
Spending too much time analyzing your current state can be counterproductive.
While it's important to understand your existing processes, the primary focus should be on what you want your future state to look like.
A future-oriented approach helps identify technology that aligns with your long-term goals which can help drive meaningful improvements.
Concentrating on future needs can help businesses select a solution that not only addresses current inefficiencies but also supports growth and innovation.
Envisioning how the technology will enable your organization to achieve its strategic objectives and prioritizing features that will facilitate this transformation are crucial steps in the selection process.
This forward-thinking approach ensures that the technology you implement will remain relevant and beneficial over time.
3. Allocate Resources for Implementation
Many organizations spend an inordinate amount of time and money on the selection process, leaving insufficient resources for implementation.
An imperfect selection with excellent implementation is far more beneficial than a perfect selection with poor implementation.
Redirect resources to ensure a robust implementation process, focusing on project management, organizational change management, and business process management.
Effective implementation requires detailed planning, skilled personnel, and ongoing support.
Investing adequately in these areas can help you mitigate risks, ensure a smooth deployment, and achieve the desired return on investment.
Proper resource allocation ensures that the implementation phase is given the attention it deserves, ultimately leading to a more successful outcome.
4. Maintain Momentum
Unfortunately, momentum is easier to lose than it is to gain.
Momentum is critical in any project, and the technology implementation process is no exception.
Because prolonged selection phases can lead to team burnout and the loss of momentum, aiming for a streamlined selection process to maintain enthusiasm will help drive team members when moving into implementation.
Keeping the team engaged and motivated is essential for maintaining progress and achieving project milestones.
Regularly communicating progress and celebrating small wins can help sustain morale.
Additionally, setting realistic timelines and managing expectations can help prevent delays and keep the project on track.
Maintaining momentum ensures that the project continues to move forward with energy and focus, increasing the likelihood of successful implementation.
Failing to keep the team informed about next steps and changes can lead to confusion and disengagement.
Similarly, prolonged gaps between the selection and implementation phases can diminish the enthusiasm for change.
3 Key Takeaways
Simplify the selection process by focusing on key differentiators and core business needs.
Focus on your future state goals to align technology with long-term objectives.
Allocate sufficient resources for robust implementation to ensure project success.
