Hello all! I’m back from a one-week posting hiatus. This week I’m writing about….

The lens you look through makes a big difference

A recent conversation I had about what constitutes success in a technology initiative reminded me of how much your definition of “success” influences the actions you take.

If “go live” (release of the technology into the Production environment) equals success, you will put all your change management efforts into making sure go live is successful and no effort into post go live support. In Prosci’s ADKAR terms, you wouldn’t focus at all on Reinforcement since the project’s goals have been met with successful go live.

If adoption equals success, you will treat go live as an important milestone and something to be supported / cared for in your plans, but not the end point of your work. Your plans will include post go live support and measurement to help ensure successful adoption and realization of initiative goals.

It’s important to establish a definition of success with the business people I’m working with as early as possible in our partnership.

Rarely, if ever, is go live the goal of a technology initiative. I have found that it’s important to establish a definition of success with the business people I’m working with as early as possible in our partnership. It’s also helpful to revisit this definition of success throughout our collaboration.

Closing thoughts

I want to hear from you! What has your experience been with attempting to socialize adoption vs. go live as the definition of a successful technology initiative? Please post your thoughts and comments below. Let’s help each other become the best change management practitioners and enthusiasts we can be!

Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care and keep up the good work!

Mike