Upgrading to IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS) is on the horizon for most IBM Maximo users. As traditional Maximo is retired, upgrading to MAS will be a path required to implement MAS. However, it goes far beyond a technical upgrade: it provides the opportunity to implement thoughtful change management, a component often overlooked in software implementation strategies. Without a solid plan, confusion and resistance can undermine even the best efforts to implement or upgrade systems such as MAS.
Success is directly tied to associating technology with the people who operate it. Change management helps employees feel equipped, informed, and confident to integrate MAS effectively into their daily work.
Implementing Maximo Application Suite isn’t just about learning new technology and shifting mindsets. Your organization needs to understand both the practical applications and the reasons behind the change. Without this understanding, organizations may face:
- Resistance to Change: Employees may doubt or fear the update.
- Underuse of the System: MAS is more than Manage (the application that is “traditional Maximo”). Poor understanding limits the platform’s potential.
- Frustration: Without clear guidance, adapting becomes overwhelming.
Implementing change management strategies can mitigate risks by fostering engagement, trust, and enthusiasm, while helping to convert potential blockers into advocates.
Effective Strategies for MAS Success
Empowering Super Users
Your organization’s super users can act as both champions and mentors throughout the implementation process. To help ensure their success, an effective “train the trainer” approach should include:
- Advanced training to build expertise in MAS functionality.
- Coaching skills to effectively guide teams.
- Ongoing support to maintain their leadership roles post-launch.
Well-trained super users help bridge the gap between new processes and team adoption.
Clear and Consistent Communication
Transparent communication is essential for encouraging acceptance. Employees need to understand how MAS provides clear benefits directly relevant to their roles:
- Demonstrate how MAS simplifies tasks or improves workflows.
- Share relatable use cases and success stories.
- Provide regular updates to build trust and reinforce the value of the upgrade.
Employees who see how MAS enhances their roles are more likely to engage eagerly.
Ongoing and Adaptive Training
A one-time training session isn’t enough for long-term success. Organizations must be dedicated to an inclusive training strategy and be prepared to adjust that strategy as needs and system features evolve. Key tactics include:
- Principle-based training to develop adaptable knowledge.
- Design a corporate-wide training plan that includes the ability to update the plan and materials as your organization changes.
- Ongoing resources to refresh skills and integrate updates seamlessly.
Other options can include interactive approaches such as gamified learning to sustain engagement and continued learning. This can help users to participate in developing and critiquing current courseware. By providing teams with full buy-in, adaptive learning allows teams to remain engaged, confident, and capable.
Employee Engagement from the Start
- Treat employees as stakeholders in the process by actively involving them from day one.
- Survey teams through a Training Needs Analysis to address their pain points and involve them in shaping rollout priorities.
- A participatory approach builds goodwill and ensures smoother adoption.
The Long-Term Payoff of Inclusive Training
Maximo (or any EAM) training is about more than teaching software, it’s about enabling teams and unlocking your organization’s potential. When properly implementing role-based training, you provide your team with the ability to use MAS effectively and provide maximum impact.
Complete buy-in to this approach all the way up to the highest levels of the organization is key to fostering a culture of accountability, enthusiasm, and innovation. Your people will view the software not as an added burden but as an indispensable tool that makes their jobs easier and more rewarding.
Implementing IBM MAS isn’t without its challenges, but with a thoughtful, tailored training approach, your team can turn those challenges into achievements. Because when your employees thrive, so does your organization.
Electra Learning transforms resistance into readiness, ensuring employees feel empowered to maximize IBM Maximo Applications Suite’s full potential. With Electra as your partner, MAS is more than just an upgrade. It is an opportunity for growth innovation.