Implementing New Technology in the Workplace

Implementing New Technology in the Workplace

Carla DeShauen Fransaw

Human Factors in Technology

TEC/401

Ms. Bobbie Jo Woolbright

University of Phoenix

June 7, 2006

Implementing New Technology in the Workplace

The implementation of technology can led to many positive changes in the workplace in terms of both work efficiency and effectiveness. However, the introduction of new technology

can and may poses challenges to organizations for a number of reasons. One of the biggest challenges is to gain user acceptance and adoption of the new technology while maintaining an

acceptable level of productivity and performance. A number of factors influence an individual’s attitude toward new technology, including gender, age, and peers’ perceptions and attitudes. All factors should be considered during the stages of implementation.

The first stage to implementing new technology in the workplace is to effectively plan and map out your technology planning process. It takes a commitment of time and resources from senior managers and other staff. In order to make good decisions, an organization also needs to understand key aspects of technology. But through technology planning, organizations can make significant gains. . Technology is uniquely positioned to harness the power of information. (Troemeter,, 1999) With the planning stage, companies should establish leadership and support. Setting up a technology team and ensuring management and staff buy-in will allow you to get started with the whole organization behind you. Assess your resources. The planning phase is to assess your existing technology. You must define your need. (Trometer, 1999) Defining your needs will enable you to choose the most efficient solutions. The next step is to research existing technology options and decide on ones that meet your needs at a minimum cost. Write the plan. Your written plan should document your resources, needs and solutions, as well as your budget. (Trometer, 1999) There are many different forms that nonprofits use to write their technology plans. No matter which form you choose, there are several key elements. You can now use your technology lessons that both groups have learned from using the technology. A simple written survey can assist in measuring the extent to which the plan has met its original objectives and expected outcomes (Holmes, 1993). During the implementing the new technology system to the company this strategy is considered to be a more risky approach to system implementation because it involves a sudden and complete transition from the old

system to the new. Users are forced to work with the new system while having no access to the old one. Often, organizations will see a decrease in productivity when the new system is introduced. However, this ‘all or none’ approach can lead to faster adoption times, as the user has no choice but to use and learn the system to plan as key element in seeking technology funding. The last step of planning is to implement the plan. Setting a timeline, assigning responsibilities and evaluating your progress will make your plan a reality (Trometer, 1999).

The stage of implementing the new technology with in your company is to basically implement the plan. Many planners believe their job is complete after a plan is written, but in actuality it has only begun. A written technology plan has direction and long-term technology goals. However, for each new technology introduced to an organization, there will be stages of implementation that include resource development (budget), evaluation, selection, installation, training, pilot projects, mini-implementations, and, finally, full implementation. These stages should all be reflected in a technology plan. It is also important to remember not to judge technology as ineffective when it is not implemented according to the plan (Holmes,1993). Flexibility, patience, and adaptability are essential for any kind of change process and certainly for implementing technology. Each company should consider the time line for all meetings of goals in the plan. Establish boundaries for you plan. Technology implementation is a continuous process that adapts to the organization's changing circumstances and includes ongoing evaluation. Effective evaluation will force planners to rethink and adapt objectives, priorities, and strategies as implementation proceeds. Continuous evaluation also facilitates making changes if aspects of the plan are not working (Holmes,