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A Strategic Approach to EHS&S Technology Implementation
6 February 2024
Implementing environment, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) technology is a crucial step for businesses aiming to create a more proactive approach toward enhancing environmental performance, ensuring employee well-being and navigating evolving regulations efficiently.
How do you implement EHS&S technology?
EHS&S technology streamlines processes, facilitates data-driven decisions and saves valuable time. Its application not only boosts employee productivity by reducing administrative burdens but also fosters transparency, accountability and compliance, which helps prevent potential fines and penalties. Additionally, it contributes to creating a healthier and safer workplace, enhancing employee morale with accessible online risk reporting tools. However, for successful digital transformation to occur, strategic implementation must take place.
Why do most digital transformations fail to take off?
Many organizations fail to leverage EHS&S technology to drive innovation. Seventy percent of all digital transformation projects, reports McKinsey, end in failure. Common reasons include going over budget, not hitting company objectives and not making enough progress within a certain timeframe. Or perhaps poorly managed training sessions leave employees feeling uninformed and lacking confidence when using new technology.
Some organizations, for instance, try to manage digital transformation in-house, but with little success. For example, as Verdantix’s webinar, “Building A Business Case For EHS Platform Consolidation And Integration,” pointed out, when firms develop highly customizable in-house tools, complexity arises if the individuals responsible for building these capabilities leave, making it challenging to implement further technological updates.
How can you ensure success?
A single solution can help organizations standardize their processes and reduce costs by consolidating multiple disparate software solutions from various vendors, achieving greater efficiency and savings. Here are a few ways of making the most of the platform:
1. Set clear goals and objectives
Understand the purpose of implementing EHS&S technology. Whether streamlining compliance, mitigating risks or improving efficiency, a clear understanding of current processes, gaps and further organizational needs guides the selection of technology.
2. Secure stakeholder buy-in
Recognize that EHS&S technology isn't one-size-fits-all. Gain support from all stakeholders, aligning technology with the priorities of different teams. Engage users early, understand their needs and involve them during purchasing and implementation for high adoption rates.
3. Implement gradually
Adopt EHS&S technology incrementally, starting with immediate needs. A phased approach allows for correct usage and effective learning and identification of potential challenges. Technology implementation should align with organizational goals for a successful adoption experience.
4. Monitor ongoing results
Analyze and understand post-implementation findings to turn data into actionable insights. Regularly review metrics, goals and KPIs to align initiatives with stakeholder needs. Collect necessary data that traces back to the initial problem and continually improve the technology based on user feedback for higher adoption.
Embarking on a transformative journey toward workplace excellence starts by embracing EHS&S technology. Elevating your environmental performance, prioritizing employee well-being and navigating regulatory complexities with confidence are essential aspects. Preparedness is crucial, requiring all stakeholders to be onboard. Seize the opportunity to streamline processes, make informed data-driven decisions and empower your workforce for a healthier, safer and more compliant future. Reshaping your workplace requires taking the lead; the time for digital transformation is now.
Interesting in learning more about the EHS&S implementation process? Check out our toolkit: How To Implement a Health and Safety Management System
