Why User Adoption of New Technology Fails or Succeeds

New Technology Adoption can be a tricky problem to solve, so it’s essential to understand the main drivers of success and failure so you can make informed decisions about how to use technology in your company. When launching new software or technology it’s important to consider your business goals, organizational readiness, and user experience before embarking on your new technology launch. 

What is technology user adoption?
Technology user adoption is the process of introducing new technology into your company successfully to ensure your employees start using it. This can be a challenge, as users often have different needs and want and may not adopt new technologies simply because they are used to doing things a certain way.

For new technology adoption to be successful, you need to make sure that your business goals are aligned with the technology you’re implementing, that your organization is ready for it, and that users will have a good experience using it. Not to mention that your employees are aware something new is coming down the pipeline, and the new technology or software implementation is designed to solve a key employee pain point or to make their lives easier.

Importance of technology user adoption

1) Aligns business goals with technology
Technology user adoption is essential because it helps to align your business goals with the technology being used. If your business goals are not aligned with the technology, employees will not be able to use it effectively and will likely resist using it. It’s essential to make sure that the business goals are clear and specific to be met using the technologies you’re implementing.

2) Increases organizational readiness for technology
Technology user adoption can increase organizational readiness by identifying and removing barriers such as lack of training, resources, or complex infrastructure. This helps provide a more streamlined experience with fewer fine-tuning problems. This helps ensure users won’t feel overwhelmed when they start using the technology.

3) Enhances user experience
The user experience is a key factor in user adoption of technology. If employees don’t have a good experience or find it hard to use, they will give up and go back to what they know. It’s essential to make sure that the user interface is easy to use and that employees have the training and resources they need to be successful. It's also important to make sure your new technology of software is being implemented to solve an employee pain point! 

Factors that influence technology user adoption

The three most important factors are business goals, organizational readiness, and user experience. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.

1) Business goals
The business goals are the most critical factor in technology user adoption. If the goals are not clear or specific, employees will not be able to use the technology effectively. It’s important to make sure that the business goals are aligned with the technology you’re implementing so that users can see the value in using it. Focus on how the technology will make your team more productive, or what they will be able to accomplish with the new technology.

2) Organizational readiness
This includes factors such as training, resources, and infrastructure. If these factors are not in place, users will not be able to use the technology effectively and will likely resist using it. It’s essential to ensure that your organization is ready for the new technology before you implement it. A critical step here is to conduct a training needs assessment to ensure your training addresses the problem at hand.

3) User experience
The user experience is a key factor in tech user adoption. If users don’t have a good experience with the technology, they will not continue using it. It’s important to ensure that the user interface is easy to use and that users have the resources they need to succeed. Another step here is to ensure employees become experts through training, and working with the new software in a test environment. 

Reasons why user adoption of new technology fails

1) No sustained leadership support
If there is no leadership support for the new technology, users will not be able to use it successfully and may resist using it. If my boss doesn't care, why should I? You need to make sure that you have an executive sponsor who supports the initiative and backs up their own words with actions by giving demonstrations and actively promoting it internally.

2) Employee resistance
Employee resistance can be a big problem in technology user adoption. Employees may resist using the technology because they don’t want to change or see no value in using it. This is often a result of poor communication as to why the new technology is important, and what benefits it will bring! Change management is a critical element of any successful technology rollout.

3) Ineffective communication
Ineffective communication can also lead to employee resistance. If users don’t understand the benefits of using the technology or what they are supposed to do with it, they will be less likely to adopt it. Communications should be clear, concise, and consistent to be effective. Imagine turning on your computer one morning, and you have new software that you are expected to start using immediately. Communication and planning is key!

Reasons why user adoption of new technology succeeds

1) Functional performance
If functional performance is the only thing that users care about, they will be less likely to resist using new technology. If the new system can deliver on increased accuracy and efficiency, user adoption will increase.

2) Effective training
Providing customized training for the system being implemented is another factor that can influence user adoption. If a new system you launch is easy to use and doesn’t require much in-depth technical training or thinking power, users will be more likely to adopt it. However, many systems will require additional training for the users to be confident and successful when using them.

3) Change Management
Ensuring your employees accept and adopt the new system implementation is critical for the success of the project. When implemented correctly, they will benefit as well as the company. Consider engaging a change management consultant early on in the project.

4) Reliability and increased efficiency
If new software consistently meets or exceeds user expectations, your team will be more likely to rely on it. If the new technology can increase efficiency, and if it can help them do their job better and faster, more will be happy to use it.

Ready to get started with your new Technology launch?

Get out FREE 'Technology User Adoption Checklist' Download!