Written by LetsBuild
Last updated September 19, 2023
Today I want to talk about one of the reasons why the adoption of new practices (especially new software solutions) often fails and how to avoid that failure. Plus, I will share 4 reasons why the approach for avoiding failure holds water. Let’s go.
When it comes to WHY we are reluctant when, for example, the project manager comes and introduces a new PM software, lies in the core of our behaviour as humans. Simply, when something new comes on the table, we are immediately scared of the unknown. According to an article in Forbes:
This type of resistance occurs mainly when change is implemented without warning the affected stakeholders before the change occurs. When change (especially what is perceived as negative change) is pushed onto people without giving them adequate warning and without helping them through the process of understanding what the change will include and how their jobs/work will be affected, it can cause people to push back against the change due to their fear of the unknown.
Now, the main question is, how do we manage this? The answer is: With training. When adopting new software, the first thing to discuss is how to bring on board the whole team – when it comes to using new tech and tools. And here are the reasons for it:
Better engagement from the team
When you create a training program around the change you want to implement, then you can involve the whole team in to it prior you talk about the software or the change. The feeling of belonging and ownership will create a perfect context in which you can introduce the change. Of course, this takes more energy and time upfront, but it will make the implementation smooth and fast.
Personal and professional growth
Instead of seeing your team or employees as a working force…what if you can create a layer of education and growth as one of the drivers for great work in your company? What if you can introduce the new change as a growth mechanism and personal advancement for every individual. You can even make it official with certificates and levels.
Better and new ideas
When you are in a situation to learn something new, the discipline of learning temporarily removes you from your usual context/environment and gives you an aerial, objective view. When you or your team learn a new way for document sharing, on a process level they can come up with new ways on how to improve other work areas – using the same feature of the software. When people broaden their know-how, usually a synergy with their previous knowledge happens and they are more active and ready to come up with solutions for past or future problems. You should take the lead and use this new energy/power towards better results for the company.
Interaction and networking
In most training, people from different departments come together in one room and they interact like never before. Although they are working in the same company, their everyday routine excludes them from the social part and they are strangers. With training, you are connecting the human side of your team, which can lead to better performance on a unit or company level.
Do you deploy regular training in your company or team? If you are ready to improve how your construction projects are executed, focus on creating training that will onboard your employees/team members, so you can focus on the business side of the processes. If you’re on the opposite side of this situation, here’s an interesting read on how to convince your boss to adopt project management software. For overall productivity in the construction site, download this ebook that discusses how to improve construction processes with new ideas and technology among other things.
