Previously, I analyzed the key to unlocking the business value of Microsoft Office 365 (O365). In this blog, I highlight the first three steps a company must take to unlock the business value of O365.
Match Business Needs/Priorities to O365 Solutions
First, it is important to determine where the business value of O365 lies, which may be different for each organization. To do this, an organization must ask, “What are our business needs and priorities?” followed by, “How can O365 applications address those needs/priorities?” For example, organizations with a significant mobile workforce may find that Skype and Teams provide the most value by reducing travel and communication costs. Therefore, it is important to match organizational units and user groups with the specific O365 applications that have the most value and then focus on accelerating adoption for those areas.
There is likely not enough organizational capacity in terms of the ability to both deliver and accept widespread O365 efforts. It is better to target adoption in a few areas, succeed, and then move on to other areas.
Identify Root Causes of Low Adoption
Next, it is important to get good information on the root causes of low adoption. It is often a mistake and a misuse of resources to assume that the only (or primary) cause of low adoption is insufficient O365 competencies, which can be addressed by training. The root causes could, and likely will, also fall into other categories:
- Insufficient direction, awareness, and understanding of the Case For Change
- Insufficient motivation for O365 use. Are there positive consequences for using O365? Are there more incentives for doing things the old (non-O365) way?
- Lack of support from leadership
Given that low adoption cannot be sufficiently addressed unless the root causes are identified, a thorough OCM stakeholder analysis is required to identify not only root causes of low adoption—but also to broadly characterize stakeholder groups relative to how they are impacted by O365 and how they may influence (positively or negatively) adoption efforts.
Establish Direction for O365
Next, it is important for leadership to set the direction on O365 use. What is the vision for O365? Where does it fit relative to all other organizational priorities? How does leadership promote the business value of using O365? How does O365 integrate with and potentially enhance other organizational cultural initiatives?
To explore the six steps required to begin unlocking the true value of O365, download our guide here, or you can submit the form below.
