By Sean Dugan
For credit unions, choosing new technology is only the first step in a much larger journey. After months of careful selection, the real challenge begins: ensuring a seamless implementation. While the investment made can create a sense of urgency to get systems operational quickly, it's important to approach this phase with deliberate planning to avoid potential pitfalls. Rushed implementations can lead to inefficiencies and longer timelines.
We recently held discovery sessions with dozens of lenders of various sizes, including many credit unions. Here are four best practices they used to build a bulletproof rollout plan when implementing new technology.
Define Clear Implementation Milestones
Much like planning a road trip, embarking on a technology implementation requires a detailed plan. Before you begin, it's essential to map out key milestones and objectives that will guide the project. Establishing these checkpoints allows your credit union to monitor progress, ensuring that each stage of the rollout remains on track and aligned with your overall goals.
Focus on Strategic Rollout Over Speed
Once a new technology is chosen, it’s natural to wonder, "How quickly can we implement this?" However, the credit unions we consulted highlighted the risks of prioritizing speed over strategic planning. It’s crucial to work with your vendor to develop a phased, realistic implementation schedule that minimizes disruptions to daily operations. While a slower, more deliberate approach may seem counterintuitive, it can provide valuable insights and allow your team to address any issues in a controlled setting, such as a pilot branch or department.
Leverage Early Adopters as Change Advocates
Identifying and empowering early adopters within your organization can be a key factor in a successful implementation. These individuals not only help pinpoint and resolve initial challenges, but they also play a vital role in encouraging their colleagues to embrace new systems and processes.
By positioning these change champions strategically, your credit union can smooth the transition and build a supportive environment for the new technology.
Choose Vendors Who Offer Comprehensive Support
The quality of your vendor partnership can significantly impact the success of your technology implementation. Credit unions we engaged with emphasized the importance of selecting vendors who provide not only the product but also hands-on guidance, industry insights and best practices throughout the implementation process.
A vendor who takes a consultative approach can help your credit union navigate the complexities of technology integration with greater confidence and success.