Protecting the value of software investments

By Jesse Sanchez.

Sustaining software value requires continued attention to adoption, ownership and manageable change.

Buying software is only part of the equation. At Ingage, the conversation around software value extends beyond implementation to what happens as teams, priorities and the people responsible for championing the technology change. Ingage CEO, Dean Curtis emphasizes the importance of maintaining internal support as personnel changes, explaining, “When a key stakeholder leaves, you must reintroduce the value to a new champion to prevent usage from plummeting.” When responsibility shifts to someone new, the value of the software may need to be established again rather than assumed.

That value can also extend beyond an easily calculated return. Addressing the distinction between return on investment (ROI) and value, Dean shared, “ROI isn’t always clear. Value is.” This perspective broadens the conversation around how businesses evaluate technology. While an immediate return may not always be apparent, understanding the value software provides can help organizations communicate why it matters and why teams should continue using it.

Maintaining that value also means considering how change is introduced. Rather than trying to transform multiple areas simultaneously, Dean cautioned, “Stop trying to change five things all at once! It’s not going to work.” He recommended a more focused approach, giving organizations an opportunity to concentrate on individual changes instead of attempting to address everything at the same time.

Together, these ideas connect software value, adoption and organizational change. Technology requires more than implementation. Keeping its purpose clear, communicating its value as responsibilities shift and taking a measured approach to change can help organizations remain focused on what their software is intended to accomplish.

Learn more about protecting software value by building continued support, communicating its purpose and approaching organizational change with focus!