What is the difference between usage and adoption and why does it matter?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
To realize value in software, it\u2019s imperative to monitor its usage. This is not a new concept and in order to justify the expensive investment that new software demands, CIOs know a proven positive ROI is essential.<\/a> This requires monitoring how users (often employees) engage with a given software using analytics. How often does a user open the app? How many events occur during that user\u2019s time in the app? Software usage is the basic assessment of how a user interacts with the software.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If software usage is how frequently or for what purposes<\/em> the software is used, software adoption is how fully utilized<\/em> the software is. An employee might use Salesforce every single day to create and assess one report. Technically, the usage would be very high. This user opens Salesforce every single day and performs an essential task by creating his report. But is this realizing the full capabilities of Salesforce<\/a>? Does this user\u2019s daily minimal usage really justify the cost of having Salesforce? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The user doesn’t monitor his usage – he doesn’t care as long as he’s completing his tasks, but someone cares. The ROI on that Salesforce user demands software adoption.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When you invest in software for your company, you are promised a sky-high list of capabilities, functions, and processes that are supposed to deliver huge value. But purchasing the software, and adopting the software are two very different stages of going digital. It is the gap between software usage (which can be minimal) vs. software adoption that is a potentially fatal lynchpin for businesses. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n According to WalkMe\u2019s Complete Glossary of Digital Adoption<\/em><\/a>, digital adoption is:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A state in which digital tools are being used as intended, and to their fullest extent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Digital adoption occurs when a business invests in new technology, adopts a digital mindset, and evolves processes so users can maximize proficiency on a given software. By definition, adopted software should simplify task completion, improve productivity, and protect ROI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To ensure that your software doesn\u2019t turn into shelfware, aiming for software usage isn\u2019t good enough. Becoming a digitally-enabled company depends on leadership to set the tone for the company\u2019s digital culture<\/a>. If employees are expected to adopt the software on their deck, they need to be enabled to do so.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Many applications offer basic insights into their usage, but it\u2019s difficult to get a full assessment of adoption.<\/a> The main reason is that each app has a vested interest in its users believing that the product is essential and is being utilized fully. You can\u2019t really expect to get an unbiased and objective assessment of adoption from within the software itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This is why digitally-focused CIOs<\/a> develop a digitally determined strategic plan. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When creating a strategy for digital adoption, keep in mind these three goals:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With your current tools, how are you currently monitoring the success of your workforce? Start with baseline data and qualitative observations to get an accurate baseline understanding of how your technology is currently being used.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n According to McKinsey, when an organization clearly communicates the goals of a new initiative, users are 3.5 times more likely<\/a> to report that the new tool is successful. Don’t forget that digital transformation is about technology but it’s most importantly about people<\/em>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Implementing software and achieving adoption for a five-person company is a completely different animal than attempting digital adoption across a 10,000 person workforce. Strategies should always be scalable. If your plan works for yourself and a handful of employees, don’t assume that it’s a proven method for digital success. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Adopting software is a huge challenge, even for Fortune 500 companies<\/a> that seem to be fully digitally-enabled. But the first step to solving a problem is admitting that there is<\/em> a problem. So how are top industry leaders addressing the adoption problem? Leading global research and advisory firm, Gartner<\/a>, has established a new category of technology \u2014 digital adoption solutions. This category is for tools that attempt to resolve the daunting task of adoption. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Although there are several tools that claim to be digital adoption solution apps, the original, WalkMe\u2019s Digital Adoption Platform<\/a> remains the only one addressing all of the challenges that adoption poses. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n For CIOs and other executives responsible for bridging the gap in their companies, software adoption is front and center on the agenda. Those that are able to zoom out and see the greater vision through a digital lens, will not only lead their companies to success but will also be leaders in realizing the potential of technology.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhy is digital adoption the goal?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Measuring software adoption<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Identify your adoption baseline <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Ensure all users understand the software <\/strong>goals<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.walkme.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/01\/new-tool-successful.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThink scalability <\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Digital adoption solutions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/a>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When you get to work in the morning, turn on your computer, and start your day, you have a list