The 3 Biggest New User Onboarding Mistakes to Avoid
Enterprise software can cost up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the scope of the implementation. With this type of investment, effective user onboarding is critical to achieving a high ROI.
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Onboarding employees to a new software system is an expensive and often challenging task. That’s why it’s imperative to plan the implementation and employee training process carefully.
3 common user onboarding pitfalls
An important but often overlooked part of this planning process is anticipating errors. When creating a user onboarding strategy, IT leaders and change managers can increase their chances for success by thinking about possible mistakes and how to prevent them from occurring.
Here are three major pitfalls to look out for.
Mistake No. 1: Poor communication
The importance of communication to the software adoption process cannot be overstated.
It is crucial that everyone who will be using the new software understands its purpose, benefits, and limitations. Leaders should also ensure there is clarity about how the training period will impact employees’ daily workflow.
Failure to communicate these things will not only lead to employee resistance and confusion but will also slow down the implementation process. To avoid this, make sure there are formal structures in place to provide information and updates, as well as answer employees’ questions.
Mistake No. 2: Inefficient enterprise software training
Companies invest heavily in employee training. According to Training Magazine’s 2017 Training Industry Report, large companies increased training expenditures from an average of $14.3 million in 2016 to $17 million in 2017. Small companies increased their spending from an average of $376,251 to $1 million over the same time frame.
Despite investments in training, many common approaches to software learning fail. Traditional methods of employee training consume valuable time and often contain too much information. As a result, employees forget most of what they learn.
In addition to low retention rates, outdated training methods can contribute to decreased productivity and employee overwhelm.
To avoid this, take another look at your company’s training program. Is there room for contextual learning? With training solutions that provide real-time guidance and clarify confusion at the moment of need, employees can learn to use new platforms while completing tasks.
Mistake No. 3: Lack of user onboarding support
Employee support must not only extend throughout the implementation process, but also beyond. Questions will inevitably arise even after implementation is over, especially after software updates and upgrades.
First, make sure there is a system in place for employees to ask questions as they work and learn. Be open to hearing their feedback, suggestions and points of confusion—perhaps there are features that the vendor can change to make the tool more useful.
By keeping communication between employees and managers open, you can use employee input to gradually optimize the way you onboard new users. If you avoid these three mistakes, positive results are sure to come.
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