Article Software Deployment Process
The deployment and implementation phase can be the most troubling for businesses.
By Insight Editor / 30 Jan 2019 / Topics: Software
Will it integrate with current systems? Will your staff appreciate the change? Do you have the resources to install and train?
When you’re working with an IT consultant or vendor, those fears can be relieved with a thorough consultation process that makes sure your new program is successful.
In fact, according to the State of Software Development in 2018 report, 63% of respondents report a satisfying experience when outsourcing their software challenges to a third party.
Below, we dive into the top six steps you can take to ensure that you have that satisfying experience.
Software Deployment Process Steps:
1. Ensuring Employee Buy-In
Convincing your employees that this program is the best solution to their problem, and getting them on-board with the deployment, can be quite convoluted. You must prove how the program will:
- Relieve their stress
- Make their job easier
- Benefit the business
Consider taking advantage of in-house product ambassadors who will rope up support for the deployment of the program. Your third-party partner can also help you with any staffing requirements.
2. Make Sure Your Team Can Handle Deployment
Preparing and including your IT team throughout the entire process ensures that you maintain open lines of communication. At this stage, however, you need to make sure that you have the resources for a quick and seamless transition.
3. Explain the Benefits
In the process of remaining transparent, you want to explain to your entire team why you’ve made the decision to switch to a new program. Explain how the new system will benefit both the business and the individual’s workflow.
At this point, you’re selling it to them. If your team has been free falling due to inefficient systems, then it won’t be that hard.
4. Provide Training
Depending on the program, system, and your team’s level of proficiency, you need to decide on the proper methods of training so that you’re not throwing them in the deep end.
Some team members may require one-on-one walkthroughs, some may only need a printed guide. Decide how you’re going to roll it out and make sure that everyone knows how to use it before full implementation can take place.
5. Test! Test! Test!
Just because the program worked on the first day doesn’t mean it will the second day.
Keep track of how well the program is performing, and continuously monitor and test it.
Just like you pushed the program to its limits during your search phase, you should make sure that it meets whatever demand you may need to throw at it.
6. Follow-through
Sometimes a program may need tweaking once implemented. Work out the bugs the right away. Just because you’ve decided on a program and installed it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work right out of the box.
