Software Implementation Is Like Getting Married

Stage One – Expectancy: You think about the new software (new person in your life) and how it will make your current status quo so much better! You can’t wait to get married to embark on this new journey of life with this new software package (maybe new consultant too!).

Stage Two – Premarital Counseling: The business sits down with their consultant and talks about the pros and cons of installing the software and the effect it will have on the existing processes within the organization (You have now gone from the infatuated state to a reality check) .

Stage Three – Cold Feet: The business starts questioning if this is the right decision for their company. They start questioning their commitment to the software and if really is all it is chalked up to be! (Reality check is full blown at this point).

Stage Four – Tie the Knot:  The business realizes that the software package was made for their business (match made in heaven) and they remember the feelings they had when they first set eyes on the software package and heard about all the ‘benefits’ they would receive (big house, new car, lots of money!) when they implemented this solution. So love takes over and the company ties the knot with the software package!

Stage Five –The First Year of Marriage:  Like every marriage you push through the first year of adjustment as you start the journey of living with your new spouse. The journey is a little rough in the beginning but you make it through!

Stage Six – Live Happily for the Next Seven Years:  After the few initial challenges you really enjoy married life with the software package and everything that comes along with it, but alas it wasn’t “happily ever after”.

Stage Seven – Seven Year Itch:  Before you know it, you hear about another software package with better benefits, better consultant, and better compatibility with your company! (It’s time to go through the process all over again!).