| One of the most important things that every | | | | have a management team that is indecisive or |
| company must do when looking for and installing | | | | unwilling to work off the recommendations |
| new construction software is to identify a | | | | provided by your software champion, you will be |
| "software champion." | | | | doomed to waste a lot of time and money in |
| Regardless of the size of your company, you | | | | selecting new construction software. When the |
| need to have one person designated to lead the | | | | champion has the full support of management, |
| quest to improve operations via new software. | | | | you will not be as tempted to cancel the entire |
| The software champion for your company must | | | | operation when the inevitable bumps in the road |
| have a specific set of skills for maximum | | | | come up. |
| effectiveness. | | | | Peer Respect - The construction software |
| Here are five traits that you want to look for in | | | | champion will need to be able to get cooperation |
| your company's software champion: | | | | from peers within the organization. If you select |
| Experience Implementing New Software - | | | | somebody that is not respected by his or her |
| Evaluating and implementing new software is not | | | | co-workers, this process will be difficult if not |
| an easy process and should not be undertaken by | | | | impossible. |
| a novice with hopes to "learn on the fly." Ideally, | | | | Change Advocate - Many people are averse to |
| you want to find somebody in your company | | | | change. They try to avoid it when possible. |
| that has been involved in implementing new | | | | Selecting and implementing new construction |
| software. Their experience in the area will | | | | accounting software will be a big change and it is |
| strengthen their ability to make good decisions on | | | | important that you select a champion that is |
| behalf of your organization. Also keep in mind that | | | | comfortable spear-heading one of the biggest |
| experience is somewhat relative. If individuals | | | | changes that the company will ever experience. |
| have experience implementing new software in a | | | | Beyond the technical abilities to evaluate software, |
| small, start up company, they may not be the | | | | the champion must also possess the ability to |
| best choice if you operate a large company that | | | | work with personnel to make them feel |
| has years of data that must be transferred to | | | | comfortable with the new software. This requires |
| the new system. | | | | an individual with empathy as well as a |
| Familiararity with Company Processes - It is | | | | team-player mentality. Without a sense of |
| absolutely imperative that a software champion | | | | participation and support from decision makers, |
| completely understands how your company | | | | employees will be hesitant to buy in to the new |
| operates and the processes that are used that | | | | software and will make the process more |
| will be impacted by the new software. Having this | | | | expensive and longer than is necessary. |
| knowledge will allow them to know what kind of | | | | In conclusion, the software champion that you |
| questions need to be asked of vendors during | | | | select to oversee your new construction |
| software demos and sales conversations. | | | | software implementation will be one of the most |
| Management Support - Since the software | | | | critical aspects to the project's success. Finding a |
| champion will be making decisions on behalf of the | | | | person with the right background that will get |
| entire company, you must choose somebody that | | | | support from management and peers will greatly |
| you trust. Selecting new software is a process | | | | increase your chances of success and |
| that involves a lot of time and money. If you | | | | improvement from the new software. |