The decision to adopt a new technology tool is a critical one for learning and development leaders. Whether it’s a cutting-edge learning software solution or a gamification app, the choices are seemingly endless. To make informed decisions that contribute to the success of a learning and development program, one must carefully evaluate several factors before integrating a new technology.
Below, L&D Think Tank members share the considerations they prioritize when assessing new tech tools, including a tool’s scalability and the company’s change management strategy.
1. Alignment with Organizational Goals
Roni Borri
Head of Learning, Development, and Performance
Abtran
Key factors include the tool’s alignment with organizational goals (impact), user-friendliness (adoption), and scalability (growth). But we also must consider how well it plays with others. New tools should complement our existing tech and workflows. For tech that is disruptive and necessitates a complete overhaul of our existing approach, we need to be sure the rest of our tech can keep up.
2. Scalability
Susan Justus
VP and Head of Learning and Development
The New York Times
One crucial factor I always consider when adopting a new tech tool is its scalability. Ensuring that the tool can grow and adapt to our evolving needs is essential for long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
3. A Robust Change Management Strategy
Anthony Stephan
US Chief Learning Officer
Deloitte
The main factor considered should be a robust change management strategy that defines a set of processes, tools, techniques, and metrics to engage key stakeholders, enable professionals to adapt to the new technology with minimal resistance and limited disruption to the business, and monitor progress. The result is a reduction in the productivity gap, increased readiness for the change or adoption, and increased commitment to attaining the benefits of the new tool — in turn, increasing the likelihood of success for the overall transformation.
4. Integration With Other Platforms
Amy OstrowskiLearning and Talent Development Leader
Share on LinkedInThe ability of the tool to integrate with other platforms is an increasingly important deciding factor for me. In the tech industry, learners’ attention is constantly being redirected throughout the day; the fewer tools we can keep the learner in, the better, as it maximizes adoption and streamlines their experience. A technology that integrates with the company personnel data feed, the messaging system, and/or the performance review system is likely more attractive from an experience and cost-savings perspective than one that does not. Time is money, and the more potential there is to automate and consolidate, the more time we have to spend on other business value-added activities.
