You're facing pushback from stakeholders on new web technologies. How can you overcome their resistance?
Facing resistance with new web tech? Share your strategies for winning stakeholders over.
You're facing pushback from stakeholders on new web technologies. How can you overcome their resistance?
Facing resistance with new web tech? Share your strategies for winning stakeholders over.
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Getting stakeholders on board with new technologies isn’t always easy, but a targeted, low-risk approach can make a big difference. I’ve found that starting with a small pilot in a specific area of the production environment is one of the best ways to go. This lets us track the real impact without disrupting core operations. When we present the benefits in terms of business outcomes like greater scalability or cost savings it usually resonates more effectively. After the pilot, sharing concrete results, such as faster deployments or fewer errors, often shifts the perspective from cautious to enthusiastic. Plus, offering training and resources along the way ensures the team is ready to adopt the change confidently.
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It should depending on the criticality of the problem. If it is the must have, then ask seniors to get the top-down commands to ensure the execution. It it just the nice to have, why don’t we just wait and let the problem exposes? In security or product dev, it should not be only 1 solution and senior managements should carry the responsibility of fail. Also, another approaches should be starts from small and minor, then we can evaluate if such could be extends.
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It depends on the reason as to why they are pushing back, main concerns around it (time, cost, effort, overall ROI). There should be also be a driving factor to move to any new technology as it' ever evolving. Key things to do/consider- 1. Create a presentation or POC using the new technology that might solve any existing problem. Answer the question- why to switch? how it benefits the organization? Provide estimates to get their attention. 2. Depending on the concerns of stakeholders make an agile roadmap which will be cost and time effective and not directly impacting ongoing operations.
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To overcome stakeholder resistance to new web technologies, start by presenting clear benefits, such as improved user experience, scalability, or long-term cost savings, linking them directly to business goals. Provide data from case studies or industry trends to demonstrate how similar technologies have added value elsewhere. Offer a phased adoption approach or a small pilot project to showcase the technology’s potential on a manageable scale, allowing stakeholders to see results firsthand with minimal risk. Engage them in the process, address specific concerns, and maintain open communication to build trust and reduce apprehensions about the change.
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Understanding the problem you are solving is key to getting stakeholder buy-in for adoption of new technologies. Knowing your problem statement can highlight unknown issues for them, which will add business value that they were not previously aware of. Understanding the cause of the resistance is also key. Talk to the stakeholders, and find out why. Have they run into issues in the past with adoption? Do they (or their staff) not have the required skill sets? Do they think it will take too long? Are they scared of how to revert changes if it is not successful? Define the benefits for people, remove the barriers - and they will usually persuade themselves to adopt new technology based on efficiency, features and security.
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To overcome stakeholder pushback on new web technologies, focus on the business benefits rather than the technology itself, especially for non-technical stakeholders. Emphasize how the technology can boost revenue by enhancing user experience, attracting more customers, or improving engagement. Highlight potential cost savings, such as easier maintenance, reduced downtime, or improved scalability. Make the case that investing in new technology is a strategic move that can support long-term growth and operational efficiency. Providing clear examples and metrics can help management see that the value outweighs the cost.
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P.O.C. – Proof of Concept: Because sometimes, convincing stakeholders is like trying to sell them on the future by just waving a crystal ball. So instead of telling them why the new tech is great, I’ll show them. I’ll pick an existing feature, sprinkle in some new tech magic, and let them see the “before and after” for themselves. Of course, it won’t be just me geeking out—I'll keep the explanations simple, jargon-free, and stakeholder-friendly. No tech babble, just plain language and some 'aha!' moments. A well-placed demo, a pinch of humor, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll be so impressed they’ll ask, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
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If you are trying to get stakeholders on board with (or to stop resisting) new tech (***that you’ve already deployed***) you have the order of operations wrong. It’s not irrecoverable, but it’s harder. I’d suggest reading “The Process of Improvement.” You can find it on Amazon, or sign up for a free signed copy at HighGear.com (full disclosure, I wrote the book). A significant portion of the book is dedicated to reducing this kind of friction through specific types of early stakeholder engagement and identifying natural early adopters to facilitate staged deployments.
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Overcoming resistance to new web technologies can be challenging, but it starts with clear communication. First, listen to stakeholders' concerns and address them with data. Share how the new technology can improve user experience, speed, and security, offering tangible benefits like higher conversion rates or reduced maintenance costs. Provide examples of successful case studies or competitors who have adopted similar solutions. It's also helpful to involve stakeholders early in the process—showing them prototypes or demos can build confidence. Lastly, ensure proper training and support for a smooth transition. A collaborative approach will foster buy-in and drive change.
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