Missed Part 1? Catch up here.

Staying on the straight and narrow

The path to choosing the right software is not without twists and turns. At the start of the process, it’s not uncommon to feel like:

“There isn’t enough time to do everything I want because the amount of work and potential delays is underestimated.”
“I feel overwhelmed by the process since it seems time-consuming and difficult.”
“I worry I don’t have enough or the right experience to do a good job.”

This section will explain how you can avoid common hurdles and show you how to correct your course if things are not going to plan.

How to get user buy-in during the evaluation process

Switching to new software requires effort from users, so their buy-in is vital to the overall success. Involving them in the evaluation process will help ensure this. When users take ownership of the new software, it becomes theirs, and they will do what’s needed to ensure it works.

Every software evaluation and selection process should start with user interviews. Not only does this build rapport, it tells the users that decisions are being driven by their needs. On the other hand, it’s essential they know every major purchase is a compromise, and it’s unlikely one product will check every box.

Everyone should be involved to maximize user buy-in. Here’s how to make it happen:

1. Project kick-off meeting – to formally announce the project.

2. Initial requirements interviews – build rapport with users and understand what the software must do for them.

3. Weighted requirements – have different departments prioritize their needs. When users see their importance assigned to each requirement, they feel like the business is listening to them.

4. Software demos – have users watch the demos and share their feedback. This will improve buy-in, and show what modern software can do for them.