Missing Features: Dealing with Major Setbacks
Dale Bryant
Imagine this scenario. You’re several months into a project to launch a new digital platform for your organization. The vendor’s software has been vetted, the licenses have all been purchased and your team of experts and stakeholders are excited to get to work. Initial meetings with the vendor are productive and morale is high. But, things are about to get bumpy because you learn that an important feature that was a selling point of the software during the initial vetting process is no longer available. It is simply no longer part of the platform and nothing can be done to change that. What are you going to do?
Once the shock wears off, it’s important to stay calm and keep a cool head. This project is important, and a lot of resources have already been expended to get it off the ground so it’s crucial to take a moment to thoroughly examine the situation and work with your team to find the answers to these questions.
Why was the feature removed? Was it commonly used by previous clients or was it deprecated due to lack of interest?
Was anything put in its place to make up for or replace the lost feature? If there is a new feature, will this work for your needs?
Has the removal of this feature caused any major issues with the vendor’s other clients? Have they lost any clients due to the change?
Does the vendor have any recommendations for workarounds?
Is this missing feature a complete dealbreaker that prevents the project from being successful?
It’s easy to start to spiral and assume the project is doomed. However, getting a full understanding of what is going on can show you that the situation isn’t hopeless. In fact, you might be in a much better spot than you think if the feature was removed for a good reason and replaced with something even more useful. Even if losing this feature will be a problem, it’s important to figure out how big of a problem you will be facing so that you can tackle this obstacle with all the relevant information.
There are also several actions you’ll want to avoid if at all possible. These are the sorts of things that might feel natural or even appropriate at the moment, but they’ll just cause trouble in the long run.
Overreacting and showing anger can severely damage morale and run the risk of alienating important team members.
Pointing fingers and assigning blame can distract the group, making it much harder to come up with productive solutions.
Shutting down communication between team members or with the vendor sends a negative signal that you’re not looking for a solution and you’re backing out of the project. This can discourage people from tackling the issue and prevent creative solutions from emerging.
When things get rough, it’s important to stick together and work as a team. Effective solutions to any problem are only discovered through collaboration and communication. Subject matter experts, stakeholders, and vendors can often work through all sorts of challenges but only if they can maintain a cohesive team.
If you find yourself in this situation, or you want a better chance at avoiding these issues altogether, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts at Salt Flats. Regardless of where you are in your DAM journey, Salt Flat can help. Below is a small sample of what our expert teams can offer.
Requirements gathering to ensure you go with the best vendor for your project
Contract negotiations to lock in clear stipulations for the Service Level Agreement (SLA)
DAM implementation support to make your platform rollout as smooth as possible
Training and change management assistance to get your teams up and running quickly
With any major project, challenges are bound to arise, and it's how we respond to them that truly matters. When faced with unexpected changes like the removal of a crucial software feature, it's essential to remain composed and inquisitive. By asking the right questions and seeking answers, we can gain clarity even in the face of uncertainty. Remember that challenges, while daunting at first, can often lead to innovative solutions and unexpected opportunities. Instead of overreacting, blaming, or cutting off communication, it's crucial to foster collaboration and maintain a unified team. At Salt Flats, we specialize in guiding you through the complexities of projects like these, ensuring that you have the support and expertise needed to navigate the unpredictable terrain of digital platform development. Whether you're just starting your DAM journey or facing unexpected hurdles, remember that with the right strategies and support, you can overcome any obstacle and reach your project's goals successfully.
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