I don't think you're ready for this project

I know you think you need it. I hear you say that you want this for reasons x y and z. It appears that you even have a budget set aside that would cover the implementation.

But are you going to use it? Are you going to train your staff to follow procedures? Do you have the time yourself or your department directors to master the system and understand how it works?

No? Better not bother with it.

...

Or...

... maybe ...

... there's another way.

Maybe you feel like you just have to have it. Maybe some part of you just knows that this is really the right thing to do for your organization.

Maybe you're under some real pressure to make this happen. Maybe it's a regulatory requirement. Maybe you've got an ultimatum from your board.

Somewhere, somewhere in there, there's a need.

If you can identify that need, really name it and boil it down to its essence, well then, now you've got something you can sink your teeth into.

Now you're not just thinking about a form or a button or a feature.

Now you're thinking about the end goal and what you really need to accomplish for your organization.

That, my friend, is your starting point. What can you do to make that happen?

Does it really require a new feature in your CRM?

Could you wrangle a couple of interns or volunteers to do some extra data entry one week a month?

Could you export that data to Excel and do some manipulation there, with some slick formulas?

There's nothing at all wrong with rolling out new features. But everything comes with a cost, and it's not just in the implementation.

If you know what your real goal is, and you have some sense of what that's worth to you, then you're in a good spot.

Because now you know whether investing in this improvement is actually going to be a win for your organization.

If it is, dive in. If you're still not sure, then you've got a little more creative thinking to do.

Whatever happens, it's up to you to weigh the cost and benefits, make a plan - however simple or complex it needs to be - and move forward without reservation.

All the best,
A.