Implementing a new business intelligence system in a company is often met by resistance. This isn’t because the employees are “lazy” or lack initiative; it’s simply because it can be difficult or even frustrating to have to change legacy processes. However, with the right change management roadmap, this process can go much more smoothly.
6 Qualities of a Successful Change Management Plan
We recommend all of our clients have a change management plan in place to help with the transition to a new business intelligence platform. (This is also a service we offer clients.) A change management plan can have a huge impact on the successful adoption, implementation, and effective use of a business intelligence platform.
As most business owners know, business intelligence platforms are an investment–but can provide significant ROI if used properly. The point of a change management plan is to provide the planning, communication, training, and processes to ensure your team is well-equipped to maximize the new business intelligence platform.
Below are 6 qualities to include in your change management plan.
1. Involve Stakeholders
The first step to a successful change management in business intelligence platform implementation is to involve stakeholders early in the process. This can be tricky since opening the doors for too much feedback can significantly slow the process. Instead of asking for a community agreement on the platform, involve important stakeholders in the final demos so they may see the platform in action and begin getting excited about its potential.
2. Secure Buy-In
Ask stakeholders to be ambassadors for the change. Having the buy-in of important leaders in the company is essential for a successful transition. If stakeholders aren’t convinced in the need for the change, take time to come to a consensus. Without buy-in–or worse, with active rejection–from their managers, it will be even more difficult to convince team members to adopt the new policies and practices.
3. Prepare Your Team for Change
Communication is key to successful change management. Before implementing changes, take the time to help employees recognize and understand the need for change. Discuss challenges that face the organization and how the planned change can help resolve those challenges. This is more successful when it is a two-way conversation, which will help strengthen buy-in from employees who can help implement the change.
4. Include Clear Training & Processes
Business intelligence training is a delicate and crucial part of the change management process. If your employees are overwhelmed or confused by the new platform, they will almost certainly push back or revert to old processes. Have very clear training in place that is individualized for each team’s roles and contributions concerning the new platform, as well as the dashboards and reports that will help them in their work.
Make sure new processes are documented in a clear, easy-to-access manner and that there is a clear, direct, and responsive line of support for any questions or troubleshooting needs a team member may have.
5. Sunset of Old Platforms
It’s important to have a timeline in place for a formal “sunset” of previous (a.k.a. legacy or shadow) business intelligence platforms or methods–and to communicate this sunset phase to your team. Without including a sunset phase as part of your change management plan, some team members may stretch the amount of time they take to make the change, hoping support for the new system will “fizzle out” or that their lack of transition will go unnoticed.
6. Review Progress & Analyze Results
After the change initiative is complete, don’t assume that the implementation is complete and successful. Take time to meet with teams to review progress and discuss challenges. This gives employees who may be struggling with the system an opportunity to ask questions. It also gives leaders the opportunity to mitigate potential issues with technical support or additional training, which will keep any individual from falling behind. It also opens an opportunity to discuss and update any processes that may not be going as planned.
How is Your Change Management Strategy?
Learn more about how change management can maximize results and ROI from your business intelligence platform by speaking with a Data Meaning expert. Click the button below to schedule a free strategy consultation.