Apty

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CHANGE MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES FOR SOFTWARE
IMPLEMENTATION
Apty.io
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Introduction
Implementing new enterprise
software is not as simple as flipping a switch.
Many executives fail to properly plan and
execute the core technology and software change.
If youre preparing to adopt new enterprise
software, like Oracle, Salesforce, Workday or
Netsuite, you can make the process easier by
following these 5- change management best
practices.
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Overview
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Develop a Plan Involve Leadership Communicate
Frequently Monitor Your Progress
Across Multiple Channels
Provide the Right Training and Support Software
Change Management Hack
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1. Develop a Plan
Software implementation doesnt happen overnight,
and it doesnt happen without a plan.
Your implementation plan should include

Evaluating your team, processes and IT structure.

Installation and Customization of the Software -
whats needed to customize the software to
your business? Will you hire an implementation
partner?

Testing and System Integration - what existing
systems will the new software need to work with?

Training - how will you train users on the new
software?

Transition and launch - when and how will you go
live with the new system?
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Develop a Plan (continued)

At each step, consider what if any disruptions
will occur to your ongoing work.

Disruptions may occur because some systems may be
offline during installation or because key staff
members will need to be in training sessions.
Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy,
do what is great while it is small
- Sun Tzu
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2. Involve Leadership
Leadership team needs to be supportive of the new
software implementation. Employees will follow
the lead of their managers and executives.
Leaders can support the change management process
by

Being vocal supporters of the change.

Frequently communicating the vision and
importance of the change.

Eliminating obstacles (staffing, budgets,
approvals).
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3. Communicate Frequently Across Multiple Channels
Communication is the key to successful change
management
Employees will be naturally resistant to change.
They may fear that the new software will
eliminate their jobs or be too hard to learn.
Frequent communication can help alleviate some of
these concerns. When communicating about the
new software, you should

Focus on the benefits and how it will make
employees jobs easier.

Explain why the change is needed and how it
supports business growth.

Be open, honest and answer questions.

Avoid making it seem like everything is changing.
Discuss company culture, business and processes
that will remain the same after the
implementation.
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4. Monitor Your Progress
If someone asks how your implementation is going,
you should be able to do more than shrug
your shoulders and throw your hands up in the
air. Monitor your progress by looking at several
key metrics

Milestone deadlines - are you meeting project
milestones on time?

Training - what percentage of users have
completed training on the new system?

Performance - is the software functioning
properly?

Issues - where are users struggling with the new
system? What are your most frequent support
tickets and calls related to the new system?
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5. Provide the Right Training and Support

If youre monitoring your progress, it should
make it easier to provide the right training
and support.

Utilize what youve learned from your monitoring
to provide training in the area's employees
are struggling the most.

Dont expect employees to retain everything they
learned in training sessions, unless someone does
something daily, theyll struggle to retain the
information they learned.

Employees will need continuous training and
support long after your official rollout is
complete.
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6.
Software Change Management Hack
Well Yes! There is a hack to get all your
employees happy and adapt to the change
quickly. Make the new product/software adoption
easy for them!
How? Leverage Apty!
With Apty's expert, real-time guidance, your
employees never waste time or energy leaving the
screen, watching time-consuming video tutorials,
or pouring over manuals and FAQ pages. Apty
quickly onboards employees by providing
step-by-step on-screen guidance to your employees
- eliminating the need for costly, ineffective
training programs, resistance to adapt new
software.
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Wish to make new software adoption easy for your
employees?
TRY APTY
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8-Step Change Management Process
for Software Implementation 4 Key Elements
of Change Management Communication 4 Tips
for Conquering Change Management Challenges
Useful links