Quick note: the focus on “right” is deliberate…
In the Day and Age of Artificial Intelligence, Business Transformation projects still rely on humans, and their success is largely driven by people! But How ?
I work in the field of digital transformation and let me tell you adoption is key. Employee adoption plays a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of these projects. Without buy-in from key users, the initiative risks falling short of its objectives, resulting in underperformance in critical areas and delaying the timeline for achieving ROI.
While I was participating in training with one of our key partners, the importance of aligning the right elements for project success was emphasized:
- The Right Technology: It’s not just about having advanced systems — it’s about choosing the technology that fits the specific needs and future ambitions of your business. For high-growth companies, this means selecting solutions that can scale efficiently. I can assure you that the tools that work for a 10-person company won’t suffice for an organization of 500 or 1,000 employees, especially when planning for rapid growth or a future IPO.
- The Right Processes: Processes must be optimized to integrate seamlessly with the technology and serve the organization’s goals. A well-designed process ensures that the business runs smoothly, fostering continuous improvement and flexibility to respond to changing market dynamics.
- The Right Processes: Processes must be optimized to integrate seamlessly with the technology and serve the organization’s goals. A well-designed process ensures that the business runs smoothly, fostering continuous improvement and flexibility to respond to changing market dynamics.
- The Right People: Having the right people isn’t just about skill sets — it’s about fostering a culture of empowerment and ownership. Teams need to be engaged and supported in adopting new systems. Whether through external consultants or internal teams, expertise across ERP, CRM, HCM, and other essential business platforms is critical to making the project a success. Adoption can’t be forced — it must be cultivated for long-term impact.
So, what does “right” mean? For high-growth companies, it means investing in scalable technology, refining and aligning processes, and empowering people. Everytime my projects were successful it was because my team and my clients were able to work in harmony, with the right expertise guiding every step of the way.
Mapping Success: Tailored Analysis for Effective Implementation
This is where our consultants can assist with a contextual analysis tailored to your business.
At Big Bang, we offer a comprehensive Business Systems Analysis (BSA) to evaluate your company’s specific context—considering factors such as industry, growth plans, and organizational structure. If you want to succeed with your software implementation, you absolutely CANNOT skip the analysis phase. This approach ensures that technology is aligned with your desired business processes from the outset.
Only after this thorough assessment can we accurately define and refine your business processes within the new system. To illustrate this, we create detailed diagrams—using tools like Lucidchart internally.
Illustration 1. Example of Order-to-Cash process diagram
While these diagrams and tools contribute in outlining optimal workflows (I personally use it a lot), relying solely on technology and processes is insufficient.
The real challenge often arises during the Build and Adoption phases. If end-users are unfamiliar with the system or lack the motivation to embrace it, engagement drops, and the project risks failure. That’s why, I always emphasize collaboration between my team and clients from the very beginning — starting with pre-sales and Kick-Off meetings.
Change Management : Partnership is crucial to ensuring success
I’ve witnessed this firsthand.
Early in my career, I engaged in a challenging ERP project that encompassed multiple system integrations. The accounting team, nearing retirement, was unmotivated to learn the new system, which created significant adoption challenges. Identifying motivated internal champions is crucial, they can serve as advocates and lead the way in system adoption.
I recently had a conversation with a CFO who recognized that selecting the right system administrators could significantly reduce long-term reliance on external consultants, ultimately saving costs.
An effective Change Management strategy is crucial for helping teams navigate new business realities after implementation. When working with clients, I always rely on this four-step approach to ensure a smooth transition :
Illustration 2 : The Four Pillars of Effective Change Management
This is a Big Bang-made strategy so I sadly can’t take the credit for that. What I appreciate about this four-pillar approach is its ability to ensure a holistic transformation by addressing both organizational and individual aspects of change. It fosters a culture of empowerment, accountability and collaboration—creating the perfect formula for sustainable change.
Best Practices : Navigating Time Constraints in System Adoption
Do you know that feeling of racing against the clock to meet a project deadline? I certainly do. When a new project comes into play, time constraints can significantly hinder this process. I’ve seen plenty of teams that were already stretched thin, so adopting a new system becomes overwhelming. In these situations, bringing in external project managers or allocating dedicated internal resources can make a significant impact on the success of the transition.
One key indicator I notice with my clients and prospective clients that suggests they may struggle to adapt to a new system is their lack of time. When team members are already working 12+ hours a day, they likely won’t have the bandwidth to adapt to a new system on their own.
To tackle this challenge, consider the following options:
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- Work with an External Project Manager:
Bringing in an external project manager to work a few days a week during the initial stages of your project ensures effective delivery. This approach allows you to evaluate your options without immediate pressure.
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- Hire an Expert:
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you could hire a dedicated individual with both functional and technical expertise. However, be aware that finding such a “Mouton à 5 pattes” (a French term for a “jack-of-all-trades”) can be costly.
Ultimately, whether you choose to go for an external project manager or hire an expert, a well-thought-out strategy during the 3 to 9-month project timeline will ensure you identify the best way to serve as the system administrator moving forward.
Now what ?
While technology and processes play a crucial role, it is the right people who form the foundation of any successful project. Bringing in the right people with the right approach will empower you to boost your ROI!
If your project or project planning is facing delays due to low adoption, don’t wait another moment—reach out to us ! We’re passionate about transforming stalled projects into success stories and are ready to jump in and help.
Our expertise in revitalizing projects means we can guide you through the challenges and ensure you’re on the path to success. Let’s work together to turn those setbacks into a winning strategy!
