We have come a long way since the days of typewriters, paper records, dial-up internet and information being stored in endless volumes of books. Advancements in technology have allowed us to solve some of our greatest problems, advance our capabilities, and have helped countless organizations become more streamlined, advance and competitive.
While there are many ways that technology can enhance our higher education system by providing increased efficiency, easy access to information, and improved competency the opposite can occur if you don’t implement your new technology well.
Here are our top tips on how to create a successful relationship with a software provider and ensure that the technology you choose to enhance your program has the positive impact you envisioned.
Know Your Goals
When setting out to purchase a new software solution or have a custom solution built you need to be clear about who will use the system and why. Document your must-haves and your nice to haves very clearly and go into the project with a clear problem you are trying to overcome or goal of what you want to create.
Always research and test pre-built solutions prior to building a custom solution. These are often more affordable and have been rigorously tested, researched and developed they also offer ongoing support and maintenance. When building a custom solution you need to consider long-term maintenance costs and what kind of support you will require and who will provide it as this can significantly increase the costs.
And always remember this classic project manager saying when finalizing your budget and goals – “We can make it good, fast, or cheap. Pick two.”
Create A Strong Implementation Team
Implementing new software is not easy, it takes time to train users and ensure their continued engagement. Ensure that you develop a rollout and engagement plan that supports your users through the change and incentivizes them to embrace the new technology.
Encourage open communication between your team and the software provider to ensure everyone is on the same page. As you progress extend that communication towards the users and encourage them to provide feedback and input at vital points.
When building custom software pick one person on your team who is passionate about data, and who understands what the users need and give them the power to decide on the design. If they are not a strong project manager, have someone take that role to support them.
Ensure you have a team that is committed to remaining accountable to your deadlines and are confident giving your software provider the information they need in a timely manner. Remember this partnership is a two-way street nobody wins if there are unnecessary delays due to missed deadlines.
Find The RIGHT Provider
When choosing a provider you need to make sure you consider more than just budget, a lot of the time the easiest software to use costs the most to build. When implementing technology that is going to significantly improve your organization it can be very short-sighted to assume the cheapest quote is the best option. Partnerships with software providers have to mutually beneficial so if want the Ferrari of systems you can’t expect to pay the price of a 1982 Mazda.
The first thing to do is consider your needs and what you value in a partnership then find a company that shares those values and most importantly has the capacity and experience to do the project.
Ensure they are responsive, customer focused and are well versed in your industry. Make sure you are purchasing a solution to your problem and avoid being pulled in by bells and whistles that don’t help you improve. When possible, find a solution that exists and allows for customization rather than building a solution from scratch.
Finding the right software solution is never easy but with the right steps and people in place you can create a great relationship with your provider and implement a solution that saves you time, resources, and improves your program.
If you are looking for a customizable solution that will help you improve the way you log student activities and evaluate students competency contact us today.
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