How do we typically defined “success” for a technology project?  One of the most common measures of success is the on-time and on-budget delivery of the system.  While these are indeed great accomplishments, simply reaching schedule and cost objectives does not equal success.  A better measure of success is the realization of substantial Return on Investment (ROI) from the technology project. 

What does user adoption have to do with project success?  Consider the relationship between user behavior and return on investment (ROI).  When do we realize ROI from our technology projects?  Is it when the technology is delivered?  Sadly, no.  We only realize a positive ROI when people actually use the technology. 

Sounds pretty straightforward, right?  Wrong.  This simple idea has tremendous implications that require advanced thought.  It means we need to rethink how we structure technology projects, who we involve in the process and how we define success.  It means we need to shift our focus from simply technology delivery to improved effective use of the system.  In short, we need increase our focus on people and on shaping their behavior.

There are many things that we can, and should, do to improve effective user adoption and increase our ROI.  But how? Driving desired user behavior is very complex.  We need to understand more about the forces that drive user behavior and how we can shape these forces to encourage desired behavior.  Future blog entries will examine many different elements that influence user behavior and their impact on ROI.  We will discuss things such as how we approach, structure and staff IT projects.  We will examine the relationship between IT and the business user community.  We will review various individual, group, and organizational factors that impact ROI.  Some entries will improve our conceptual understanding and other entries will provide more tactical actions that you can take to achieve your goals.  It is our hope that through sharing our knowledge and experience you will increase your ability to effectively address the “people” issues and increase your ROI on technology projects.

TriTuns Innovation is committed to helping grow your capabilities and your organization.  We are continually developing new and important resources that provide you valuable insight and tools for achieving success.  We invite you to subscribe to our blog to gain new insights for increasing the success of your projects and organization.  We also invite you to subscribe to our free quarterly newsletter.  Please browse our website and download our articles and white papers.  We also invite you to share you ideas and comments with us.

 
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