Today many organizations are adopting new software to adapt to the drastic market changes we have seen this year. The effective adoption of new software enables companies to streamline once lengthy processes, lighten their employees’ workload, and improve customer experiences.
Unfortunately, investing and implementing new software does not always lead to success. Many organizations struggle with low user adoption rates and resistance to change. However, developing an effective software adoption training plan can make all the difference. An effective training plan can help improve user competency and help build user confidence.
In this blog post, we will share with you some of the most critical steps you can take to make a quality software adoption plan.
Selecting the Right Blend of Training Delivery Methods
To ensure higher user adoption rates, it is crucial that you select the right blend of training delivery methods to support learners. The most successful user adoption strategies offer a blend of training methods from 3 different categories, social learning, experiential learning, and formal learning practices. The specific techniques that will be the most effective at driving adoption are highly dependent on your organization’s unique needs.
One component often forgotten when developing an enterprise software adoption program is to integrate just-in-time support materials. These are training materials that employees can reference and use while on the job. These often come in the form of printable infographics, posters, or short refresher videos. These materials strengthen the adoption process by reinforcing the key subjects employees need to know the most.
Plan to Provide Opportunities for Learners to Practice
For adoption to be successful, learners must know more than facts and software product features. Learners must be able to operate the system successfully. One of the best ways to improve user adoption rates is by integrating opportunities for learners to practice using the new software in a risk-free environment. This can be done by providing life-like simulations, in-person training, or an electronic performance support system.
Break Down Training into Bite-Sized Portions
One of the most common challenges organizations run into while developing a software adoption plan is finding ways to impart many details without causing information overload. Providing training content in a single piece of long-form content can significantly hinder the effectiveness of your program.
Utilizing strategies such as microlearning and the use of content like mobisodes can significantly improve learner engagement. These strategies break down content into small digestible segments that are easy to remember. Short, interactive video content (mobisodes) is a familiar format for most learners today, and this format gives learners more flexibility than many other methods.
Highlight the Program Benefits to Reduce Resistance
Resistance to change is one of the top reasons software adoption fails. To address this challenge head-on, be sure to create messaging and training awareness campaigns that highlight user benefits. Explain how exactly the new software is solving a problem. Share how the software tool can reduce frustration, streamline day to day processes, and help the organization better attain its goals.
This information may vary depending on the complexity of the new system. Personalization is often the right choice for organizations who are introducing software to multiple departments. It is also an ideal option for employees who will use the system in unrelated ways.
Create Individual Learning Paths When Necessary
Consider whether individualized learning paths would improve the program implementation process. As mentioned earlier, the same tool can be used in different ways by employees in various roles, departments, or regions. In these instances, developing individual user experiences for each of these roles could improve the program’s effectiveness.
A one size fits all training program could lower engagement levels by providing information that is irrelevant to different learners. Personalized learning paths ensure that all information is relevant and reduces the amount of time needed for training by reducing the amount of covered content.
Endnote
Developing and implementing a comprehensive software adoption plan is one of the best ways business leaders can ensure that they get the most out of their software investment. An effective adoption plan utilizes a blend of training methods and strategies to engage learners. Highlighting program benefits and developing personalized learning paths are also effective strategies enterprise corporations should consider. To learn more about best practices, and get the highest ROI out of your investment, read the eBook Software Adoption Training for Digital Transformation.
