November 20, 2024
In today's digital world, the topic of transformation is discussed almost daily. It refers to the process of adoption and implementation of digital technologies , something that needs to be present in all industries in order to keep up with the changing landscape, but particularly within healthcare to make sure we are consistently providing patients with the best care possible. Whether it relates to implementing automated processes, integrating new third party technologies or creating rich reporting, digital transformation is key to the success of your clinic. However, when it comes to implementing big business change, these projects are not always launched with complete success. At ClearCourse Health , we’ve committed ourselves to ensuring the success of our digital transformation projects and as a result we’ve compiled a list of the top three reasons why projects fail, and how to avoid them! No clear project plan/defined goals This can be applied to any project, digital or otherwise. To see a project out to the end and ensure that it lands successfully, your change management team needs to create a proper project plan with a set list of defined goals. This will outline the timeline for your project, resources needed and exactly how it is going to improve your business going forward. It also outlines what success looks like and the expected profit increases which will come as a result of project success. In some cases this can also be measured by certain patient metrics, such as post-appointment feedback, repeat bookings or a reduction in missed appointments. Without the ability to refer to a project plan during a digital transformation project, it can be difficult to stay focused or aligned to budgets and can lead to you falling into the trap of implementing something which doesn’t have the required benefits for your business. With a project plan, you can keep to budget, stay on schedule and launch your project with the greatest success possible for your business. Conflicting requirements/priorities All projects are going to have a number of different stakeholders, each with their own ideals and priorities. It is the responsibility of the business change team to consolidate these priorities and ensure that all stakeholders are made aware of what the results of the project will be, to properly manage expectations. Much like project goals, having a known list of requirements and priorities for your project helps to keep you on track throughout the process. For example, if a clinic was undergoing a period of digital transformation with the main aim of attracting more new patients, the priorities of the project should be aligned to items which will directly influence this. While certain departments may have different focuses, in times of big business change it is paramount that individual priorities are put to one side to concentrate on the larger business goals. With agreed priorities in place, your project is able to thrive and meet deadlines, helping your business grow. Lack of training/poor engagement with launch This is incredibly important once a project is nearing the completion or launch phase. There is no point having spent months working towards something if, when it lands, people don’t understand how to use it. You need to ensure you train staff on the new processes the digital transformation project has brought in. If automated booking systems have been installed to speed up your clinic workflows, then it is pivotal the necessary staff members on reception understand how to use them and how to respond if patients have queries. The same logic applies to any new processes, from embedded payments, to consolidated reporting, document management and CRM. Furthermore, when the actual launch takes place, you should guarantee the team are behind it and that it is properly marketed so people are made aware of the difference it will make to your business. This includes highlighting the differences it will make to patients too, such as making them aware of a new patient portal or any areas where they can provide feedback on the clinic operations. With proper training on the new processes and a well-managed launch, you can ensure that there is minimal downtime for your clinic and the day-to-day immediately improves as a result. Avoiding these main pitfalls should have you on your way to success with your digital transformation project - but remember it’s important to constantly be reviewing your clinic, just because one project has launched, doesn’t mean there isn’t more out there that you should be doing. The digital landscape is always evolving and in order to stay relevant, we need to evolve with it! ClearCourse Health is constantly rolling out new pieces of software and updates to ensure your clinic continues to operate as smoothly as possible, meaning we handle a lot of the digital transformation for you. If you’d like to learn more about how the ClearCourse Health system can help you thrive in today’s digital landscape, speak to a member of our team here who will be happy to help.