special project, challenges of it implementation

Special Project - BUSA 519:

Challenges of IT implementation

Tonje Hovland Berntsen

Technology Implementation Two dominating economic trends:

1. Globalization

2. Commoditization

Successfully implementation of new technology is essential for companies to survive in today’s markets

The interest in external sources of technology is increasing

Challenges of Implementing new IT

Constant and rapid change in technology Technological bases are changing rapidly and

unpredictably Number of technologies has experienced a huge

increase

Implement technologies that will work well together Mismatching technologies may end

up with products that will not meet its intended purpose


Customers’ preferences and needs are always changing Change the products as customers’ preferences are

changing Product life cycles will be shorter

Employee challenges Employees need continuous training

opportunities Management must provide technology

support that is up to date


Easy to duplicate other companies Every company is unique and has different needs

One method for success might not be right for everybody

Changes in the companies processes Implementing new technology means changes in the

way they do business Both the management

and the employees of the company need to adjust to those changes


Bringing the customers along with the implementation of the new IT Customers also need to adjust to the changes

following from the implementation

Unclear strategy A successful implementation requires a clear and

well-planned strategy Everybody in the company needs to be understand

the strategy and be well-informed about it


Expectations of the technology implementation Expect that technology

will immidiately increase efficiencywithout any roadblocks

In reality, there is a learning curve that people need to face, that involves several roadblocks and challenges

Recommendations

To properly prepare the emploees will help to better deal with the changes and adjustments from implementation Good communication between employees and

management Proper and continiuous training and support Flexibility and availability from the management

The eight step model for companies to identify and implement external technologies that will meet their needs and lead to success

RecommendationsThe eight step model (Chatterji, 1996):

Recommendations:The Eight Step Model Step 1 and 2 is about doing research within the company and make an

overall plan for what, when, where and how

Step 3 and 4 is about searching for the right technologies to implement

Step 5 addresses how and when the technology would be integrated into the business

Step 6 and 7 is about the negotiation process and how to be able to work together

Step 8 ensures learning and improvements, and is the key to long-term business success

All eight steps in the model are essential for the companies to successfully implement a new technology. Each step has different practices and approaches for succeeding.

Recommendations

Making the right game plan and choosing the right technologies that fit the company is essential for success Develop an approach to implement the technologies that fit the

company’s needs and gives the most advantages Choose matching technologies depending on the company’s

needs and goals

Focus on efficiency and effectiveness Efficiency is ‘doing the thing right’ Effectiveness is ‘doing the right thing’

Recommendations:Efficiency and Effectiveness

Process of a technology product life cycle (Goyal, 2006):

Efficiency and effectiveness from the perspectives in the model above are needed to successfully implement new technology

Efficiency and effectiveness need to be combined. Efficiency is not sufficient without the effectiveness and vice versa. To get the full use of the aspects the company needs to focus on both

Recommendations Use knowledge management as a tool to help the

companies to succeed A process where companies can generate value from their

intellectual and knowledge-based assets Integrates leadership, organizational processes, business

processes and technology.

Managers need to believe in what they do and not be afraid to fail Managers need to be positive, strong and inspiring Implementation rarely happens without any problems

need to be ready for a try-and-fail method

Recommendations Adopting an open innovation approach

This gives companies the opportunity to find information, knowledge and technology outside their boundaries

Opportunity to find ideas and recommendations from other persons that are not employees. Important to remember that not all the smart persons are working in one company

This approach allows companies to adopt technology from external sources

Open innovation will provide companies with information about the market and the customers which will help them to be successful and up-to-date

Recommendations

Make customers follow along through:Listening to the customersEngaging the customers Informing and teaching the customers

Managers need to make a clear strategy that is known and practiced by all the employees

Conclusion

Companies are facing many challenges when they are implementing new technologies, but there are many tools that can help them get past these challenges

Implementing new technologies is necessary for companies to survive in today's global and competitive markets

To successfully implement new technologies will give the company many advantages and will lead them to success

References Chaffey, D. (2007) Why efficiency and effectiveness measures are important to strategy.

Retrieved on July 9, 2009 from http://www.davechaffey.com/E-business/C5-Strategy/why-efficiency-and-effectiveness-measures-are-important-to-strategy

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