Deploying A Collaboration Tool Into Your Business: Touch, Pause, Engage.

The deployment of a collaboration tool can be a great addition to a business and bring real benefits – but once you've decided what system is for you and perhaps run a pilot, what next? How should the new tool be deployed to your firm? As a starter for ten, here is a simple three stage process for the deployment of a collaboration tool. It's not exhaustive – but these stages should provide a good guide. The stages have borrowed a slightly overused rugby metaphor to describe the roll-out process – but it fits pretty well. Touch, Pause, Engage...!

Touch: Set your objectives, discuss the programme with stakeholders, and review the lessons learned from the pilot.

The first step should be to set your objectives. What do you want the tool to achieve? When will the roll-out start? Who are the users? Defining what you want the system to do by setting your goals will help everyone involved have these goals at the forefront of their minds.