Learn the common pitfalls of implementing HR technology to steer clear of these issues within your own organization. We’ve compiled tips from experts, including directors and CEOs, with insights spanning from emphasizing the involvement of all stakeholders during implementation to stressing the importance of executing HR technology initiatives with a well-defined strategy.
Involve All Stakeholders in Implementation
A common mistake to avoid when implementing new HR technology is not incorporating your stakeholders into the entire process. As an HR team, it’s easy to be heads down, focusing on data conversion and setting up new functionality, usually under a tight timeline.
However, it is critical to the success of the implementation to ensure that various stakeholders in the organization are part of that process. These stakeholders include employees, managers, executives and even external companies with which you partner or share data.
I was leading an implementation of a new time-and-attendance system, and we were changing from one system to bringing it into our current HCM system. I made sure that we set up a manager steering committee. They participated in design sessions and testing weeks before we went live. They also became change champions for us. When people are part of the journey and contribute to the project, adoption and success of the new technology will be much more likely.
Lindsey Garito
Director, People and Culture
Prioritize Thorough Training and Adoption
A common mistake to avoid when implementing HR technology is underestimating the importance of thorough training and user adoption.
Often, organizations focus on selecting the right tool but overlook the crucial step of equipping employees with the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the technology. Insufficient training can hinder its integration and limit the benefits it offers. Prioritizing comprehensive training and ongoing support ensures a smoother transition, maximizes the technology’s potential and enhances overall organizational efficiency.
Linda Scorzo
CEO, Hiring Indicators
Define Needs and Consider Customization
Focus on defining your company’s needs. At Leena AI, we have learned from our experiences and identified some common mistakes. First and foremost, it is essential to define your company’s specific needs and requirements clearly. You should not fall into the trap of adopting technology simply because it is popular. Instead, ensure that it aligns with your internal workflows.
Customization is another crucial factor a company should consider. Our company, like many others, deals with multiple dynamic processes and exceptions. It is vital to recognize the need for customization before implementation. In fact, failure to consider necessary customizations can even lead to challenges during onboarding and integration with existing technologies.
Understanding your company’s culture and user preferences is essential. If your team is accustomed to certain ways of working, then introducing complex technology might hinder rather than help. Prioritize user-friendliness and efficiency.
Sanya Nagpal
Head of Human Resources, Leena AI
Document HR Processes Before Selection
The process of adopting and integrating a software application into a business workflow is a complex process. This is especially true with implementing HR Tech tools because the processes involve human beings and target organizational change.
One common mistake, which cascades down to implementation failure, is incomplete — if not a lack of — documentation of HR Processes, both as-is and to-be, before initiating the selection of an HR Tech solution.
The organization misses the opportunity to gain the advantage of re-engineered processes and develops incomplete user requirement specifications, leading to inadequate solution selection. A lack of adequate process documentation makes configuration and use case development, and hence the testing of implemented software, defective. The loose implementation methodology of most solution providers or their implementation partners adds to the chances of failure.
Atul Mankad
Domain Expert, Naman HR
Ensure Integration with Existing Systems
If you are looking to implement new HR technology in your organization, you will need to make sure that the new HR technology you are implementing is easy to integrate with already-existing systems, such as a time tracker, to ensure smooth data flow. Unless these systems are integrated, manual data entry can lead to inconsistencies, which can create many issues.
Spend some time understanding all the features of your new HR software, as different HR systems offer different functionality. The HR system should ease your work, not increase your manual administrative work.
Ali Ashraf
Director of Operations, App Development Force
Implement HR Technology with a Clear Plan
When implementing HR technology, organizations often make the mistake of jumping in without a clear plan. It’s crucial to think through your objectives, budget and timeline before investing in new software or hardware.
Additionally, it’s essential to consider how the technology will be used—what processes or tasks will it help automate? Are there any areas where it could improve employee engagement? Once you have a plan, make sure that everyone involved in the process understands their role and has access to the training.
Finally, consider implementing a “test phase” before introducing the technology fully to ensure that it works properly and meets your needs. Taking these steps can help ensure your organization is fully prepared to take advantage of HR technology and maximize its impact.
David Rubie-Todd
Co-Founder and Marketing Head, Sticker It
Don’t Neglect User Training and Change Management
One common misstep I’ve observed is neglecting user training and change management. When implementing HR technology, it’s crucial to ensure that all stakeholders, from HR staff to employees, are well-informed and equipped to utilize the new system effectively.
By skipping or rushing this phase, we risk resistance to adoption, under-utilization or incorrect usage, all of which undermine the investment and benefits of the new technology.
Ranee Zhang
VP of Growth, Airgram
