Summary

After organizations figure out how to select a content management system (CMS), a critical next step is to implement it. There are multiple decisions you face for implementations like: what functionality you should implement, when the project will start and finish, what resources you should utilize to implement, and what budget you need to execute the project. With complex decisions like these, it’s not surprising that many implementations generate lackluster results or worse, fail. If you want to ensure CMS implementation success, your path to success begins with knowing and averting four common pitfalls, as well as adopting nine implementation best practices across governance, process management, user adoption, and vendor management.

Four Hazards Lead to Failed Implementations

Undoubtedly, CMS software helps organizations reduce costs, improve productivity, and enhance online customer experiences. But with the many benefits that CMS software offers, how come some CMS implementations fail to deliver expected results? The reasons why CMS implementations fail are due to four types of issues:

1. Lack of leadership
2. Poor scope management
3. No focus on user needs
4. Too much customization

Follow Four Guidelines and Nine Best Practices to Success

How can you circumvent pitfalls and ensure lasting success for your CMS implementation? The keys center on following four guidelines and best practices to minimize project risk and maximize project success. Verndale suggests you:

1. Build and implement a sound governance model   
2. Define process management
3. Prioritize user adoption as a main focus area
4. Take a different approach towards technology and vendor management

Read our whitepaper to learn more about the nine best practices for CMS implementation and how to unlock short and long-term success for your organization’s CMS project.