What are the key factors to consider when measuring the success of a new system implementation?

1 Business goals

The first factor to consider is how well your new system aligns with your business goals and strategy. You should have a clear vision of what you want to achieve with your new system, such as improving efficiency, productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, or revenue. You should also have specific and measurable indicators to track your progress and performance, such as key performance indicators (KPIs), return on investment (ROI), or net promoter score (NPS). By comparing your actual results with your expected outcomes, you can assess whether your new system is delivering the value and benefits that you anticipated.

2 User feedback

The second factor to consider is how satisfied and engaged your users are with your new system. Your users are the ones who will interact with your system on a daily basis, so their feedback is crucial to evaluate the usability, functionality, and reliability of your system. You can collect user feedback through various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation. You should ask your users about their experience with your system, such as how easy it is to use, how well it meets their needs, how often it encounters problems, or how much it improves their work. By listening to your users, you can identify the strengths and weaknesses of your system, as well as the areas for improvement.

3 Technical performance

The third factor to consider is how well your new system performs in terms of technical aspects, such as speed, security, stability, scalability, or compatibility. Your new system should be able to handle your current and future data volume, traffic, and complexity, as well as integrate with your existing systems and devices. You should also monitor and test your system regularly to detect and resolve any issues, such as bugs, errors, or breaches, that may affect its functionality or quality. By measuring your technical performance, you can ensure that your system is operating smoothly and securely, as well as meeting the technical standards and requirements of your industry and organization.

4 Change management

The fourth factor to consider is how well you manage the change process that comes with your new system implementation. Implementing a new system can cause significant changes in your organization, such as new workflows, processes, roles, or policies. You need to prepare and support your stakeholders, such as employees, customers, or partners, for these changes, as well as communicate and educate them about the benefits and features of your new system. You should also address any resistance or challenges that may arise during the transition, such as lack of skills, knowledge, or motivation. By managing the change effectively, you can increase the adoption and acceptance of your new system, as well as minimize the disruption and risk to your organization.

5 Lessons learned

The fifth factor to consider is what you learned from your new system implementation, both positive and negative. You should conduct a post-implementation review to evaluate the overall success of your project, such as the scope, budget, schedule, quality, or risks. You should also document and share the best practices, challenges, solutions, and recommendations that emerged from your project, as well as the feedback and insights that you gathered from your stakeholders. By learning from your experience, you can improve your future system implementations, as well as enhance your organization's capabilities and competencies.

6 Continuous improvement

The sixth and final factor to consider is how you can continuously improve your new system and its performance. Your new system is not a one-time project, but an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring, evaluation, and optimization. You should keep track of the changes and trends in your business environment, customer needs, and technology, as well as the feedback and data that you collect from your system and users. You should also update and upgrade your system regularly to ensure that it remains relevant, efficient, and effective. By pursuing continuous improvement, you can maximize the value and benefits of your new system, as well as achieve your long-term goals and vision.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?