Is your organization looking to improve its document and information management practices, and is considering an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system?

Implementing an ECM system can be an efficient solution to content problems. However, it can only reach its full potential of increased efficiency if the organization has effectively done the groundwork prior to implementation. This means the organization knows the starting point and the desired state, in addition to dedicating enough time and resources for definition, implementation, and follow-up.

Laying the Foundation for Success: Pre-Implementation Planning

In an Enterprise Content Management project, just like any other project, it is important to set up the basic expectations and to understand what the organization is attempting to do.

Defining Your Business Objectives

To succeed, the organization needs to take three vital steps to start planning an ECM implementation project:

• Set clear business objectives
• Understand the change and what it means for the organization, and for the people in it
• Understand the risks involved

Without taking these three steps, it is impossible to plan and manage the project in a way that supports the business and its key processes. And, it will inevitably fail to deliver the increased efficiency as the new ways of working will not support key business processes.

Understanding the Human Factor & Change Management

Even though an ECM implementation project typically includes new software that needs to be taken into use, it is NOT an IT project. An ECM implementation project will and should change the business processes, workflows, and most of all, employee behavior. Without proper attention to the human aspect, you are bound to fail in some of your key objectives.

Identifying and Mitigating Potential Risks

We can look at the project as five steps of transformation. At the core is the new ECM system. That is followed by document management practices and how they change with the new system. The next focus area is to generate efficiency by developing workflows. These workflows will support business processes and transform how they are managed. And finally, this all needs to change employee behavior. If employees do not embrace the new system and ways of working, the desired effect on profitability will be lacking.

Ready to unlock the full potential of ECM? Schedule a free demo or start your free trial today!