April 25

The Importance of People, Processes and Technology

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Implementing technology solutions and changes may seem like a daunting task, but its principles really boil down to the good old triangle of People, Processes and Technology. You need to align all three elements in any project to ensure a change process will work as needed.

There have been many discussions over the three elements of this paradigm. Some believe that all three elements are equal in importance. I tend to think that PEOPLE is by far the most critical piece of this strategy.

Let’s look at what comprises each of the three elements in this concept and how they work individually and in concert with each other.

  1. People

In order for processes and technology to work, there have to be people behind them. The right people with the appropriate skills, experience and knowledge to succeed. These include owners and stakeholders of the implementation; those who are affected and can provide support during and after the change. Everyone impacted by the change must be informed.

Sometimes decisions are made by the top level executives or departments without communicating to those other individuals who will be affected by them. Of course, it’s important to get senior management buy-in to even start the process. But failing to explain those who be using the new process why the change is happening and how it impacts them will surely result in confusion, frustration and even resistance to adopting the change.

  1. Processes

There need to be processed (actions and steps to achieve the results) in place during and after an implementation or change in order to bring the people together to make it a success. Begin by defining the high-level activities needed, then drill down to the details by analyzing variations, dependencies, exceptions and supporting processes.

Reverting back to the People element, make sure your stakeholders are aware of and understand the processes. They must know what their roles and responsibilities are in the implementation, support and resolution of resolutions during and after the change process. If the change is more than routine, it can help to establish a training program for using the new system, tailored to specific roles of employees, if applicable.

  1. Technology

The technology aspect of this triangle should be determined AFTER the people and processes portions are solidly in place. Don’t make the mistake of buying new software and tools, then trying to retrofit the people and processes around it.

The goal of every initiative should be to define a “to-be” environment by first making the people and processes within the organization more efficient and then giving them the tools and technology to make them more effective.

Remember: Technology alone can’t solve problems. But if used correctly, and in combination with clearly articulated objectives, defined processes, and well-informed and trained people, it can provide incredibly valuable visibility into events and activity you want to know about to stay secure.

In summary, the three elements of the “golden triangle” of People, Process and Technology need to work in tandem in order to be successful. Without people and processes, adding a new tool to fix a problem is doomed for failure. In fact, it may increase the issues exponentially.

By making people and processes more efficient, then investing in the technology to make them more effective, organizations can achieve their missions measurably, more effectively, and at a lower cost over time.

E3 Consulting Is Your Expert ERP Consultant

People, processes and technology are the key factors that dictate if a business is going to be successful and grow. E3 Consulting offers a Business Operations Assessment Workshop to help you implement this important paradigm for your business.

Contact us today to learn how we can be your partner in helping your business succeed!


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