The success of a project hinges on the “human element.” That means having the right people to guide your implementation across the finish line. To set yourself up for success, you’ll be working with Cloudinary’s finest implementation professionals.
You don’t need a big project team. Small but mighty teams can make a big and positive impact on the delivery and quality of the end solution you want to implement. So, when you’re putting together your project team, include these representatives to support the Cloudinary team and the overall implementation project:
- Executive Sponsor. Provides high-level support and ensures the onboarding project aligns with the organization’s strategic goals. Their role is critical in securing resources and driving accountability and commitment to the onboarding project. They should be the point of contact for the Cloudinary team to raise any concerns with.
- Dedicated Project Manager/Lead. A dedicated project manager or lead is essential for keeping the project on track. They work alongside the Cloudinary Onboarding Manager and/or Project Manager to provide structure, oversee timelines, manage resources, and coordinate the onboarding process, ensuring that objectives are met efficiently.
- Technical Lead. The technical lead handles the technical aspects of the project, such as system integration and implementation. They bridge the gap between the technical and business sides, working with the Cloudinary Solutions Architect to facilitate the onboarding project’s smooth and effective execution.
- Business Lead. The business/commercial lead wears many hats, the most important of which includes being the voice for end users. They ensure that user requirements are effectively communicated and integrated into the onboarding project. They make sure that the end solution not only aligns with the organization’s commercial goals but also meets the end users’ needs and expectations. As such, their role is vital for maximizing the project’s value.
Beyond the project team, everyone in your organization plays an equally pivotal role in the project’s success, especially when introduced to a new platform. Their adoption of the new technology and the accompanying processes significantly impacts the project’s overall success.
This is why change management, with its emphasis on ensuring people effectively transition through change, should be a major consideration in any project. To prepare for change management, involve:
- Teams most affected by the project’s outcome. Their representation offers valuable insights and ensures that the project aligns with their actual needs, yielding meaningful feedback throughout the project’s life cycle to better shape the solution.
- Subject matter experts (SMEs). They bring extensive experience to the table, helping to steer the project in the right direction and prevent costly errors.
- Enthusiasts and skeptics. It’s imperative to acknowledge and embrace both the enthusiasts and skeptics of change. Enthusiastic supporters, particularly those with influence in their respective departments or teams, are vital advocates. However, the more challenging yet equally important task is engaging the skeptics. By actively involving them, addressing their concerns, and making them feel heard and included, we can transform them into influential change champions.
There’s nothing more convincing than a reformed skeptic who can return to their peers and say, “I was skeptical too, but being part of the project has shown me the benefits, and I believe this will greatly benefit our organization.”
This transformational journey highlights the central role of people in project success and underscores the importance of involving these diverse categories within the project team.
Ultimately, having the right people in your project team to support your onboarding and implementation means you’ll have a higher chance of success. Beyond the project team, change management must involve transforming skeptics into champions, emphasizing a people-centric approach throughout the implementation journey.
