By Devin Dukes

While not as fun as vacation planning, the steps you take ahead of your AMS journey can pave the way for a more enjoyable experience. Unsure where to start? Think of Achurch as your technology travel agent. From start to finish we can help you execute your next big AMS adventure.

In this blog post we offer resources for use throughout each phase (assessment, selection, implementation, and adoption) and we’ve added some of our hard-won wisdom to help you embark on a successful adventure. 

Decide Where You’d Like to Go – Assessment Phase 

This phase is exciting. First, decide what you need. With trip planning you determine the vibe you need: ocean, mountains, or city. In the AMS assessment phase, you must identify the real needs driving the desire for a new AMS. An assessment identifies current uses, areas of concern, and outlines a roadmap for the future. 

Second, once you know where you want to go, know your budget. Third, if you are traveling somewhere new, you’d ask around for recommendations and intel on the location. Do the same with your AMS assessment. Gather a small team of advisors, stakeholders, and users as well as leverage community connections to gather their recommendations. Bringing in others to provide insight and experience builds trust and buy-in that will make the journey easier.  RFP to choose your AMS Needs Analysis Partner

Choose Your Attractions – Selection Phase 

Every location has several attractions that may catch your eye. Whittle down your choices to avoid getting overwhelmed. Just like you don’t need to see every attraction in an area, you don’t need to consider every AMS out there.  

Lean on your requirements. Each solution has its benefits and drawbacks. Weigh the pros and cons of different solution providers to find the right fit for your organization and your organization’s requirements. Ask questions to not only understand capabilities but to also understand how the system does what you need it to do. Determine if it aligns with your goals.

Here are other resources to help in your decision making. 

Take the Trip – Implementation Phase 

We chose our destination, selected our sights, and engaged our team along the way. How do we ensure we (and everyone traveling with us) enjoys the vacation? Similarly, how do we get more from implementation? Paint the picture before you get there. Whether through conversations, surveys, and/or demos explain why the tool was chosen, how it was chosen, and how it will look for staff on the other side of change. If an impartial tour guide could help build consensus through the journey, that may be a worthwhile investment of resources. RFP to Choose an AMS Implementation Partner

Pick a time when people have bandwidth. Just like an out-of-office message holds the space for your vacation, hold space for people to adapt to this change.  

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of training. Make sure it’s comprehensive and ongoing. Facilitate sessions where staff share tips and tricks amongst themselves (bonus: it shows that everyone is in it together). 

Return Home – Adoption Phase 

Wow, that was an adventure! Now we’re back home and life resumes its normal pace. How do we keep that vacation glow, remain refreshed, and look forward to the future? Whether you’re returning from vacation or planning for adoption, resist falling back into habits that don’t serve you.  Recall the excitement the planning and trip brought to you and your team – and the goals that you built together along the way. Streamline processes by integrating existing systems into your new AMS. Create awareness around integrations that exist. Be proactive to avoid data silos. Anticipate upgrades and updates and prepare staff ahead of time.

Here are some extra resources to help you continue to maximize the effects of your amazing journey. 

Want to learn more and receive even more resources to help you plan a successful AMS journey? Contact our information concierge, Molly Ahearn. 

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