Software Upgrades: Obtaining Management's Buy-In Part 2 of 2

In our previous blog post, we discussed a few strategies to convince management that a software upgrade is a worthwhile endeavor. Read about a few more tips below.

Demonstrate the Impact of a Software Upgrade

Even after seeing evidence that software is not working as intended, managers may not see the urgency of the issue. To get the results you want, you’ll need to show the long-term impact of maintaining the status quo versus upgrading.

By focusing on bottom-line benefits in your demonstration, you’ll easily snag the attention of busy supervisors. Is your payroll software taking twice as long as it used to when calculating tax deductions? How much time is it wasting each month? Is the problem getting worse? How much time could be saved with an upgrade? Compare the cost of the software upgrade to the costs associated with malfunctioning tools. So long as the benefits clearly outweigh the drawbacks, it’ll be easy to convince management of your argument.

Communicate in Layman’s Terms

Business owners hire employees to support their goals, but they also build a staff to make up for what they potentially lack. Chances are good that you were brought in for your years of experience and technical know-how. When listening to your proposition about why a software upgrade is necessary, your supervisor may feel out of their depth. Some may admit they don’t understand the inner workings of software applications. This is the perfect opportunity to educate them with easy-to-understand terminology.

If you’re hoping to convince your boss to make upgrades, communicate your needs in layman’s terms. Executives won’t necessarily grasp the technical shortcomings of a given application. Rather than speak techno-babble they barely understand, explain in plain terms why you need an upgrade. Leave the details to your data presentation and your plans for implementation.

Get the Government to Pay for Upgrades

It’s hard to say no to a software upgrade when it costs you nothing. Businesses large and small can take advantage of federal grants for software upgrades. With a little research, you can likely find a grant specific to your industry in which your business is eligible.

Use public money to develop your next software upgrade. Stakeholders will love that you’ve taken initiative, and it’s hard to resist free money!

Call in Reinforcements

If you’re having trouble making a compelling argument for an upgrade, reach out to the WebRevelation team today. Making the case for an investment like this isn’t always easy, but our staff of programmers can help guide the fact-finding mission required to convince your supervisor. Allow us to help you understand the stakes, risks and rewards before you present your case to management. Call us at 817-283-3324 for a complimentary consultation or complete this form.