3 Steps to Technology Buy-in and Adoption

Whether it’s a fancy label maker or a factory conversion to full automation, you need to ensure incoming technologies will receive wide adoption and are future-proof to meet the evolving needs of your organization. 

Say you’re leading a task force designated with finding and installing the right solution to overcome a specific challenge. The natural first step is to dive into the research and make the purchase. But hold up: one size may not fit all… Here’s a three-step approach that’ll help get you there.

1. REFINE THE PROBLEM

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” – Albert Einstein

Makes sense: the quality of a solution is directly related to how well we understand the problem. That’s a benefit of hindsight; we see the best course of action once it’s in the history books. 

So you can better reach your intended goal of widespread adoption, it’s a good idea to review the initial diagnosis that’s been given and get a second opinion. Are we really understanding the issue, here?

Here’s how think-tanks get at the core of a conundrum:

• Zoom in and out – Consider a broader or narrower view of the problem. It’s about getting more data points.
• Do a rewrite – Refine the problem statement from the perspective of the folks who own the project or man the workstation. Better still, go interview a few.
• Flip it – Reverse the flow of information or the process and think about what you would do to generate an opposite intended result. It’s about going deeper here.

It’s not too early to engage others that will have to adopt or help implement the solution. Solicit input – talk directly, or send out a questionnaire and see what comes back.

2. ZERO IN ON THE SOLUTION

Get your team captains in on this. Ask each to review the stated problem and present three possible technology solutions at an informal roundtable.  Let them know that all the details don’t have to be worked out. The intent is to cast a wide net and pull everything into the boat. Then you’ll throw back what doesn’t measure up when vetted by the team. 

Expect pushback from your audience as some may get a bit derailed at times. That’s natural, and actually a good sign that your team is engaged with the task. Facilitate the conversation and remind everyone, as needed, that the goal is to find the best solution to overcome the challenge or problem at hand.

Got more than one solution on the page? Put your focus on which option will ultimately have the best return on investment (ROI). This isn’t about the ‘least expensive’ or ‘quickest acquired’ wins, but rather which option has legs and is going to show near and long term benefits. 

Get the key benefits nailed down, whether you’re the decision maker on the ultimate purchase or you’re influencing the decision. Lay out how that solution is going to make the job more efficient, productive or safer in a clear, logical manner. If others can easily follow your arguments, it will help smooth the way for funds and ultimately adoption in the workplace.

3. EXECUTE YOUR PLAN

Whether your undertaking is a small or a large one, the process remains the same: break up your plan into bite-sized pieces. You can use fancy software programs or handwritten notes, doesn’t matter. But, as you plot out the steps for successful deployment and future adoption, keep in mind the Big-Three of Execution:

1. Assign tasks – Get a nod from participants who are accepting added responsibilities. Commitment and buy-in is the engine that’ll take this to the finish line.
2. Determine the timeline – From start to finish, what are the milestones? The more specific, the more likely they’ll be met.
3. Tracking and reporting – Communicate the progress and collect relevant notes. Equal participation ensures everyone’s doing their part and there won’t be any surprises along the way. 

Taking the time to follow this three-step process will provide some structure for you and your team and will improve your chosen solution’s success in the long run. Like following a recipe for a cake, it’s hard to go back when we miss a step. And it’ll ultimately leave a bad taste in your mouth.  

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