{"id":21648,"date":"2024-03-07T13:36:54","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T13:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sifytechnologies.com\/us\/?p=21648"},"modified":"2024-03-07T13:36:54","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T13:36:54","slug":"the-definitive-guide-to-dam-adoption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.sifytechnologies.com\/us\/blog\/the-definitive-guide-to-dam-adoption\/","title":{"rendered":"The Definitive Guide to DAM Adoption"},"content":{"rendered":"

Credits: Published by our strategic partner Tenovos<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re launching a digital asset management system (DAM), you know that technology isn\u2019t your only challenge\u2014sometimes people are. You can have the best DAM in the industry and processes to match, but if your users don\u2019t adhere to naming conventions or don\u2019t categorize assets correctly, the project can devolve into a DAM quagmire. So, how do you get all the users of your DAM\u2014from designers and partners to agencies and entire teams\u2014to come along on your DAM adventure from the start? Your journey will involve mapping out your terrain, building your guild of allies, consulting your DAM wizards, and choosing the path to your DAM legacy.<\/p>\n

This article will be your definitive guide to DAM adoption from the beginning. We\u2019ll explain the process of getting users involved in selecting and rolling out your DAM, as well as the strategies you can use to ensure widespread adoption and ongoing equilibrium.<\/p>\n

If you already have a DAM, the steps below are perfect for rethinking your adoption strategy. It\u2019s easy for users to fall off the adoption wagon, so your strategies should be evolving to keep up. You\u2019ll determine where to improve your engagement with your users, strengthen your desired norms, and encourage better user behaviors. From mapping out your DAM journey to setting yourself up for a legacy of success\u2014let\u2019s talk about how to achieve optimal DAM adoption.<\/p>\n

1. Map out the terrain\u2014user influence and resistance<\/h2>\n

The (not so secret) secret to DAM adoption is identifying and engaging your stakeholders early in the process. For those without a DAM (or replacing your existing DAM), it means prioritizing the needs of those who will use the DAM inside and outside your organization.<\/p>\n

Start with a stakeholder mapping exercise\u2014sit down and brainstorm everyone who will be using your DAM or involved in the success of implementing it. Write each name on a sticky note\u2014from the illustrators uploading new assets, to the IT manager who will deal with support tickets. Then sort those stakeholders into quadrants:<\/p>\n

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This exercise will help you determine which stakeholders should focus your energy and support on throughout the DAM adoption process.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to conduct resistance planning. To manage resistance, you should brainstorm all the potential reasons your stakeholders might resist your new DAM\u2014make a thoughtful, comprehensive list. Executives may lack awareness of why a change is needed. Creative teams may fear the unknown that comes along with this change. IT may resist because they anticipate a lack of support once the DAM is implemented. In this stage, you should consider your users\u2019 concerns carefully, making note of potential blockages will help you gather their feedback and develop a communications plan that effectively addresses their concerns.<\/p>\n

For organizations that have already implemented their DAM, it\u2019s never too late to map your stakeholders and consider their needs. Resistance can happen at any point in the journey. Investigate how your DAM is performing with a survey, DAM usage data, or user interviews at regular intervals. You may not be able to implement a new system, but it\u2019s never too late to revisit your users\u2019 needs and consider why they may be resisting your processes.<\/p>\n

2. Build your guild\u2014recruit your DAMbassadors<\/h2>\n

After you\u2019ve determined which users have the most influence and interest in your DAM, you should identify who among them could be your allies. Who is likely to adopt new norms quickly? Who can assist you and offer insight into team morale? Who is most invested in the DAM planning process and its success?<\/p>\n

Determine who among your internal (and even external partners) would be willing to offer ongoing feedback and engage with the DAM process. These are your DAMbassadors and they will help you disseminate information, encourage excitement in your engagement campaigns, and uphold the norms and processes you\u2019ll put in place.<\/p>\n

Recruiting them could be as easy as taking the \u2018high interest\/high influence\u2019 users from your stakeholder mapping and asking if they\u2019d be interested in taking on an advisory role. It could be for a limited time as the DAM is selected and implemented, or if your DAM is already in place, you could ask them to give feedback on an ad hoc basis. Consider incentivizing this role\u2014people are more likely to feel appreciated if they gain something from their insights. Bonus points if some of your champions are executive-level leaders\u2014their buy-in will be important to secure budget and support across the organization.<\/p>\n

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