Frankfurt, 03. June 2019 – One! Two! Three! Go! Or one, two, three times reading an instruction manual and still not getting it? Which one is it in your organization? In theory connecting your new home theatre or IT systems for different departments, countries or processes follows the same principles. You have to cross your fingers, pray, touch the wood and maybe do a little voodoo dance (just kidding). The three important principles of GoLive are there to guide you.
First, you must develop the deep inner conviction that GoLive will be successful in the end. Whether you are deploying a new sales control system across several countries, implementing a state-of-the-art IT solution for Enterprise Resource Planning, launching the latest product or an Enterprise Project Management Office, you must commit to it wholeheartedly and without hesitation. Any side-stepping or reservations in leadership or team can cost you the success. Be honest, you will not send the TV back if it is in principle working – so you better make it work.
Second, you must build and nurture the team that can handle the problems once they arise. And, yes, they will. Most work is done before GoLive. From conception, design, production, marketing and distribution your home theatre made a long journey before trying your patience. It is the same with a system GoLive. After several month or even years of implementation, your team must be emotionally prepared to take that last big step and not to panic once issues arise.
Third, expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised. In other words – tame your expectations. A glitch in a system can take weeks to be found and fixed, but that is not the reason to abandon GoLive and throw the baby out with the bath water. You might eventually take up Japanese as a result of translating that home theatre instruction manual. Through setbacks your team becomes more professional and develop new skills. However, do not send them blindfolded into the unknown. Prepare them well and they might surprise you with their confidence, knowledge and new competences acquired in the process.
GoLive process needs to be well-rehearsed before the actual launch. At CPC, for example, we do it in a series of Process Workshops or Process Simulations sessions. In the workshops, CPC Change Management experts guide your team through all the stages of the process and simulates obstacles that could arise in the actual GoLive. That way, all three principles are covered. First, your employees are supported and gain the conviction that they will succeed in the end. Second, they are emotionally prepared to handle difficult situations connected to GoLive. Finally, they are more relaxed, flexible and do not feel cornered professionally by the tremendous pressure to preform once and for all. All GoLive stages become well-rehearsed, familiar and predictable. One more essential benefit: voodoo magic is part of the package!