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November 26, 2024
5 mins
As we (businesses and individuals alike) become ever more reliant on digital tools to get work and anything else done, ensuring that workflows are as seamless as possible is more important than it’s ever been.
The truth is that the days of ambling over to a colleague’s desk to check on something are gone, never to return.
In these new norms, all of us are part of workflows almost every moment of our working day — so making sure that those workflows are as smooth as possible is an essential part of almost every business, almost everywhere, almost every day.
However, the challenge of navigating complex software and systems can create a form of digital friction.
Inefficiency is the enemy of success and satisfaction, and no one — not team members, not leaders, not customers, not users — is immune.
To combat this friction, Digital Adoption Platforms, or DAPs (not to be confused with the DApps of the blockchain world) have emerged as a preferred solution for many.
A solid DAP can help any organization optimize processes, empower employees, improve user experiences, facilitate faster digital transformation — and, maybe most importantly, safeguard the business from hard questions from the P&L team come year-end.
In this article, we’ll explore how DAPs are shaping the future of workflows and why they are becoming increasingly important for eliminating the digital friction that has become so common in modern workplaces.
Let’s get the definitions out of the way up top.
A Digital Adoption Platform is a tool designed to overlay on top of existing software applications and provide users with real-time guidance and automation for faster digital adoption of new software.
By offering step-by-step instructions, a good DAP ensures that users can complete tasks quickly and efficiently, reducing learning curves, preventing errors, and limiting delays for a successful digital transformation.
Unlike traditional software training methods — hands up if you’ve spent hours of your life sifting through Standard Operating Procedures? — DAPs offer a more intuitive approach. Most importantly, they integrate directly into the software, helping users learn as they go by providing contextual help right at the moment it’s needed.
We’ve all experienced digital friction.
Struggle to navigate software or processes, leading inevitably to delays, decreased productivity and frustration from all parties — team members and managers to end users and customers.
DAPs tackle these issues by offering personalized assistance and automating repetitive actions, thus streamlining workflows across various departments.
Among the ways DAP solutions reduce digital friction are by:
With the software stack of many companies now reaching halfway to the digital moon, everyday workflows for operating, managing and optimizing these tools can overwhelm a workforce fast.
This is where DAPs come in, offering benefits for businesses who’d like to streamline their digital ecosystems, improve team productivity, customer experience and, of course, boost overall business growth.
Employees often spend too much time troubleshooting software or figuring out how to complete tasks.
A well-implemented DAP reduces or eliminates time spent in trial-and-error by guiding users through tasks from start to finish. Less time spent resolving issues and more time focused on getting the important tasks done.
It should go without saying, but let’s say it anyway.
The key marker of a successful implementation of a new CRM, HR platform, collaboration tool, or any other piece of business software is this: Do employees actually use it?
A DAP can help greatly increase user adoption by reducing the intimidation and confusion that new technology often brings. Confidence is a known guidepost to success, and DAPs give users new confidence in the software in front of them.
Traditional training methods are often hard to scale. Often, the larger and more successful the organization becomes, the greater the resource overhead required.
DAPs simplify this. They provide a scalable solution by automating training and providing continuous support across an entire workforce. So, whether it’s a new hire just joining the team or an experienced employee finding their way through newly implemented software, a DAP brings context-specific guidance to everyone.
By providing real-time, on-screen assistance, DAPs reduce employees' need to rely on IT or support teams for help.
This newfound autonomy allows users to resolve issues independently, saving valuable time for IT and support departments and, in the long run, leading to faster problem resolution and fewer interruptions in workflows.
When selecting a Digital Adoption Platform, businesses should consider their specific needs and the complexity of their existing software stack.
Look for a solution that integrates seamlessly with your current tools and offers robust features like task automation, analytics, and real-time guidance. Scalability is also crucial, particularly for organizations with large or growing workforces.
Solutions like Walkme.com, for example, are leading the charge in the DAP space, offering versatile tools that can overlay on a wide range of software platforms.
However, while it might go without saying, let’s say it anyway.
As with any strategic software investment, it’s important to evaluate different platforms and choose one that best fits your business’s goals.
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