The choice of technology solutions can significantly impact the level of adoption risk with your implementation. Two common options are Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) solutions and customized software. Let’s delve into how each affects the type of change management strategy required and what to consider when transitioning between them.

First off, what exactly are “out-of-the-box (OOTB)” and “customized solutions” referring to in tech?

OOTB (Out of the Box) solutions are ready-made commercial software products that cater to a broad range of clients. They come pre-configured and are provided directly by the software vendor.

Customized solutions are tailored specifically to fit your company’s unique needs. These are custom software creations designed to tackle your specific business processes and requirements.

So, how does the implementation of these require different change management strategies?

With the ability for minimal customization, OOTB solutions often require process change on the part of the user. While OOTB solutions enable a simpler technical implementation, there is a higher chance of adoption risk due to the (sometimes significant) changes users need to make. For these types of implementations, it is important to have solid business process analysis as well as robust change management assessments and planning to ensure adoption risk is mitigated. A great first step is to ensure employees understand the rationale behind the changes and receive adequate support.

Transitioning to a customized solution, on the other hand, requires a different approach to managing change. While this approach is likely simpler from a user perspective – quite often translating current work processes to a technology solution – it is likely a more complex implementation from a technical perspective. It is less likely when implementing a customized solution to have significant adoption risk as users will follow a similar process, just using a new tool. Much of the change management on these types of implementations focuses on assessing impact, training for users, and testing knowledge prior to implementation.

Bottom line, change management is key when it comes to rolling out new tech solutions. Whether opting for OOTB tech or customized software, organizations must ensure the project is effectively prioritized, give leaders the tools to support their people through change, and assess impact by user group. By doing so, they can minimize disruption and maximize the benefits of their technology investments, ultimately driving business success.

Levvel’s Expertise in OCM

At Levvel, we are Organizational Change Management experts, and we’ve witnessed many companies and teams struggle with the transition from one technology to another. We’re pros at mitigating risk and helping folks get on board with the necessary changes to ensure a smooth transition and realizing the full potential of new technology investments.

~ Reach out to Connect@levvel.ca