User Adoption in Government

Dynamic software solutions are vital tools that facilitate many government operations. Middle managers and subject-matter experts use software solutions regularly and handle government projects. Implementing new technology can be daunting to customers; having a great IT solution is one thing, getting customers to use it is another. User adoption in government is vital in successfully introducing new technology. How do you get potential users to adopt your solutions?

 

There are a few main challenges of successful user adoption in government:

• Job security: When you introduce new IT solutions, it sometimes implies that fewer people are needed to complete work. Government employees may be concerned that new technology will take over their duties and endanger their job.
• Change: Naturally, new software solutions require the users to adopt new behaviors, learn new skills, and change some work methods. Users may be reluctant to change their normal work patterns and branch out to learn how to use new systems.
• Sharing knowledge: Upper management relies on middle managers and subject-matter experts for their specialized knowledge of government applications. Their expertise is powerful; if you seek to extract this specialized information from these users and transform it into tech, they may become uninterested in the project’s success.

 

To overcome these challenges, you need to generate buy-in and a genuine interest in your IT solution. The most effective way to do this is to get the potential users involved in every stage of the build. How can you get prospective users involved while building a new software application?

• Analysis phase: From the very beginning, tell the customer that they are an important part of the project. Listen carefully to the customer’s needs and emphasize that building the software solution is meant to make their work easier for them, not take over the job entirely. Getting the users involved while planning allows for a customizable foundation that can meet their specific needs.
• Build phase: During the project build, continue to keep the customer involved. An effective build method is an iterative approach: the ability to code and show the customer in real time, making feedback more effective. When customers have these hands-on experiences, they become vested in the project’s success.

Testing phase: Completing a software solution and going live is a challenging part of software solution projects. Involving customers in the testing phase familiarizes them with the final product and minimizes surprises upon going live. Customers become aware of strengths and weaknesses in the system and can be ready to address any issues that may arise.