What can be learned from the similarities between tool implementation and mountain biking? What challenges and pitfalls will you encounter along the way? You read it here.
This photo shows what I enjoy pretty much every weekend – and when possible a few weekday evenings as well: mountain biking. Although in the Netherlands it is better to speak of cross-country biking because an essential part is missing here when you think of mountains. The nice thing is that mountain biking has a lot in common with my work at Synergio; both are super fun to do and actually they are both a kind of hobby of mine.
There is always a reward…
My job at Synergio is to realize solutions for our customers for their development processes using our tools. Often hard work but ultimately enjoying a good result together with grateful customers. It is exactly the same with a mountain bike: during your tours you come to beautiful places, every time it is hard work to get to the top, but at the end of the ride there is always a fantastic view to enjoy. And don’t forget a nice cold beer.
Challenges when implementing a tool
Both at Synergio and in MTB, of course, things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes you go down. But you learn the most from making mistakes. So get up and keep going. Below are five challenges you may encounter when implementing a tool.
Top-5 Challenges
- The use of a tool is often part of a larger (improvement) process, this can sometimes entail a lot of change in one go. (After that nice long descent there is suddenly a steep climb and you have to change gears immediately)
- A tool is like a mountain bike; you have to learn to use it first. Some need more time for this than others. (Ascending and descending each require their own driving techniques, those techniques you can learn.)
- A tool asks you to accurately define work processes. People often do not have a clear picture of this and they look to suppliers for best practices and advice. (Which bike, which equipment, which gearset, what kind of ride, which preparation; all factors that play a role in ultimately reaching the top).
- Each tool has its own architecture, which sometimes requires people to adapt to this, however much we would like to see it the other way around. (Although every bike looks the same at a first glance, each brand makes its own choices at a level of detail: brakes, how sprockets are mounted, wheel axles. This means that you sometimes have to conform to the choices of the bike brand and not have all the freedom to adjust things to fit).
- A tool is also just a software application: management, support and ownership are essential for long-term success. (Maintenance of your bike is essential; if you take good care of it, it will last longer!).
Want to spar?
Do you want to implement a tool to make a development process more efficient, but you are not sure where to start? Feel free to call us for a no-obligation consultation. We are happy to think along with you about how to best use a tool within your organization.
We are Synergio. And this is what we offer our customers:
- Effective Portfolio Management.
- Continuously create added value.
- Continuous learning and making choices.
- Creating well-cooperating teams.
