All businesses need to keep up with the times – and this includes implementing new software. 

Updating your software can make a massive difference to your business operations – it could save money, improve efficiencies and make sure you’re future-ready. 

But when do you know if you’re ready for a new software? Introducing a new technology into the workplace can really stress people out – so it’s got to be right. If you think it’s time for a change, you’re probably right – but there are some simple steps you can follow to make sure you’re 100% ready.  

The here and now 

You’re not making a change on a whim, there's a reason behind it. Remind yourself why you need new software. What problems are you trying to overcome? What impact will it have on your processes? What steps will you have to take? When you know exactly why and how you’ll make the change, you can start to persuade others that it’s the right move for your business.  

Explain the benefits

Whether you’re talking to your peers or senior management, explain all the benefits your new software will bring. Think about financial benefits, improved efficiencies, better user experience, and increased revenue – then you can weigh-up the pros and cons.  

Be realistic...

Implementing a new software isn’t going to change things overnight. These things take time, so be realistic about what ROI you can expect in the first year, second year, etc. There will be some risks to think about as well – like data security or downtime – so make sure you have solutions for all these potential problems.  

…but dispel the fears 

Investing in a new software comes with a certain amount of risk – but so does staying stagnant. If you don’t update your systems you could lag behind in the market, suffer from poor efficiency and incur more costs further down the line. Don’t be afraid of making change – change is good! 

Make a plan

Now it’s time to make a plan of action! Break down the whole process into practical steps – from researching software options to training staff. This will help you and your stakeholders understand exactly what’s involved so you can get started. 

When you’ve followed these steps and know you’re ready for a new software, it’s time to get buy-in from the people at the top. And for this, you’ll need to write a business case. It'll help you justify the costs, benefits, risks and opportunities before you spend time and money investing in a new software.  

Writing a business case can be tricky, so we’ve broken it down into bite-size chunks. Or you can download our fully-populated template to help you get started.