Enterprise-wide projects fail at an alarming rate. According to McKinsey, over 65% of all large IT projects fail. What is even more concerning is the statistic that 90% fail to deliver measurable return on investment. Why?
Analysts will point to poor project management or a lack of clearly defined goals as the source of much of the problem. They may point to inadequate integration of technology with business goals. In reality, large IT projects fail because of people. Many companies lack the resources for a successful rollout of new technology.
National Technology Rollouts
Any IT project, whether it is changing a company-wide infrastructure or deploying a new CRM solution, is a complex undertaking. Organizations spend weeks, even months planning the project from definition to deployment. However, creating a rollout plan is often overlooked. Instead, companies flip a switch and let operations sink or swim as the new technology is deployed. It’s no wonder that 90% fail to deliver an acceptable ROI.
No matter how well planned, IT implementations will fail if users do not adopt the new technology. Acceptance should be the goal of any plan involving national technology rollouts. Companies need to minimize disruptions, provide support, and maintain open communications to ensure employees experience the value of new technology. For organizations with limited resources, a successful rollout may be impossible.
Rollout Plans
Having a rollout plan keeps project members on task. It can identify gaps in resources and provide a timeline for each step of the rollout process. Tie National IT support services can provide staffing to help develop comprehensive plans. Relying on individuals with years of rollout experience ensures that all steps are included.
A well-designed rollout plan keeps everyone informed on rollout progress and facilitates adjustments during deployment. The more complex the deployment, the more crucial a rollout plan becomes. Planning identifies critical path checkpoints where user acceptance can be assessed. Instead of waiting until the technology has been deployed, a rollout plan enables organizations to adjust processes if user acceptance is lagging.
IT Support Services
For many organizations, IT staff have the responsibility of deploying the technology while trying to support corporate-wide users. When resources are spread too thin, they cannot address implementation issues and answer end-user questions. It doesn’t take long for employees to become frustrated if they cannot receive the support they need to use the technology.
Nationwide IT support services can solve that problem. Whether a business needs individuals to provide end-user support or help maintain the infrastructure after deployment, an external resource such as Tie National can resolve a lack of personnel. Investing in a successful rollout minimizes the risk of losing 90% of a project’s ROI.
Tie National Technology Rollouts
Terminology can sometimes get in the way when it comes to technology. Deployment, implementation, and rollout are often used interchangeably but they each have distinct roles to play in delivering a successful IT project.
Deployment means moving an IT solution into production. Whether it is a new infrastructure or software application, the deployment covers the process of positioning technology for use. Implementation focuses on the processes following deployment that help users accept and use the technology. Rollouts encompass both deployment and implementation.
Rollouts look at how the solution will be moved into production. What are the steps to follow to minimize operational disruption? The rollout also involves the activities following deployment that help users accept the solution. That may involve a support or help desk where employees can get answers to operational questions. It may include data collection for running analytics for evaluation.
A rollout plan bridges the gap that happens when an implementation plan is created separately from a deployment script. For example, a national IT deployment company may use a phased approach where different segments of the solution are delivered separately. The implementation plan reflects that approach by providing a timeline that parallels deployment. Why train employees on aspects of the solution that they cannot access? It only creates frustration and allows individuals to lose focus.
Tie National’s rollout capabilities ensure that technology deployment and implementation are synchronized to maximize user acceptance. With its experienced staff, the company can help with help desk support, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery. Whether you are looking for infrastructure support or ongoing support services, talk to the professionals at any of our Tie National offices.
Michael Durante spent his teenage years into his early 20s climbing the ladder in a branch of a successful banking firm, starting as a teller and ending as a Sr. Branch Manager within 6 years. In 2003, he left the banking world to join his father and create TIE National, a telecom company 60 years in the making. Together, they grew the company from a two-man operation solely working on telephones to a multi-million dollar international business with employees in over a dozen states, covering everything from phone systems to cloud products and computer systems. You can find Michael on LinkedIn.