As you know, users are usually the main obstacle to the deployment of new applications. However, it is possible to put the user back at the center of innovation, in order to develop powerful solutions that will be well accepted. Discover the importance of user-centric innovation, and the keys to achieve it.

User centric innovation: feedback from your users to support your strategy

Technological innovation only makes sense if humans learn to interact properly with these new applications. For this, it is necessary to place the user at the center of the design and deployment of these software applications. Feedback must be fully taken into account at all stages of the project. Indeed, from the development phase to the full integration of the new application in the daily life of the employees, the user must be present.

Why put the user in the middle?

Innovation through the deployment of new business applications often comes up against a significant obstacle: user acceptance. Indeed, it is essential that all the people involved adopt the new software. This way, your entire organization benefits from its full potential. Yet, 75% of companies report that the deployment of their business applications is not going as well as expected. More than 60% of them report poor user adoption.

It is therefore essential to think of innovation as the development of a link between man and machine. This is the only way that applications can finally reach their full power and have a maximum positive impact.

Feedback at the heart of your user-centric innovation.

To implement business software that is truly adapted to the needs of users, you must be able to collect their feedback. This feedback will be the basis on which you will determine the areas for improvement.

In order to encourage them, you must ensure an atmosphere conducive to communication. This requires being transparent about the objectives of the new application, in order to create a climate of trust in which everyone wants to move the project forward. You will also have to help your collaborators to become aware of the role they have to play in its success.

The power of collaborative intelligence

The goal is to build on each other’s strengths to achieve a common goal. Working together to achieve the same project creates a positive emulation. Everyone is committed to implementing solutions adapted to their own field of expertise, but also to designing an architecture that brings the same benefits to other trades.

Placing users at the center of innovation helps to awaken this process of collaborative intelligence. Feeling that one’s opinion is taken into account naturally encourages one to express one’s feelings and to look together for solutions that will lead to the best possible solution.

The importance of user-centric innovation in the implementation of remote work

The digital workplace is becoming an increasingly important part of corporate life. In order for remote work to be as efficient as office work, the user must be as independent as possible. Whether they work on SAP, Salesforce, IFS or any other business software, they must be able to perform all their workloads with a minimum of assistance. It is therefore essential that these applications have been designed to be as easy to use as possible.

Some keys to successful user-centric innovation

Developing a user-centered innovation strategy sometimes requires a thorough rethinking of your new software deployment methods. Processes must no longer be pyramidal, but become transversal so that everyone can play a full role in the success of the project.

Take user feedback into account at all stages of the project

To achieve an optimal result, the user-centric approach must be adopted at every stage of the project. As soon as the needs are defined and even before the software is chosen, the wishes of future users must be taken into account. Then, during the deployment phase, the feedback will constitute a precious tool to adapt the software in real time.

Finally, once the project is completed, the feedback must be analyzed with great care. This will help improve processes to ensure the success of future innovations.

Adopt customizable applications

To benefit from the collective intelligence and adapt your application to the real needs of users, it is essential to have some flexibility. Indeed, a software in which everything is already fixed will not give you the possibility to set up the necessary adjustments for a good adoption by the users.

Turn to customizable applications, which you can really adapt as you deploy them, in order to adapt to end-users’ feedback and requests.

Make teams aware of the role they have to play.

From the very first stages of the project, invest time and energy in communicating about the implementation of a new innovation: the user-centric approach. Users must understand that their opinion will really count. This will encourage them to invest in the project by giving constructive and complete feedback.

For the success of this communication, rely on managers and carefully selected key users. Don’t hesitate to count on young people. Naturally much more sensitive to digital innovation, they can become very effective ambassadors for their colleagues.

Implement effective feedback tools

Being aware of the importance of feedback is one thing, using it effectively is another! Implementing a real feedback tool is an essential step. It allows you to centralize all information. To activate collective intelligence, feedback must be shared in a community way. This sharing is greatly facilitated by the use of a dedicated tool.

For it to be used correctly, it is also essential that the feedback tool be user-friendly. A tool that is too complex will be quickly abandoned by your employees. On the other hand, a user-friendly application that is easy to use will allow everyone to give complete and regular feedback.