Understanding your organization: The 4 P’s of selecting the right DAM
Understanding the type of DAM that is right for your team can be a challenge. Over the past few years, I have taken on a new role as a consultant. With my creative, marketing/communications, and project management experience, I have a fresh perspective when aiding clients in finding the right tools for their marketing and creative stacks.
Each client I have worked with endures similar challenges when evaluating their tools in their stack. Enterprises face difficulties with having too many tools and creating tools that are too proprietary – limiting growth and integration. They also struggle with user adoption. Picking a new tool for your marketing solution stack is not an easy feat. It is easy to get caught up in the details such as features of the tool while trying to balance buy-in from stakeholders (IT, security, VPs, and end-users), and balancing a budget. So how do you know where to start when you are evaluating Digital Asset Management tools?
THE 4 P’S
I have found that the 4 P’s are crucial to not only selecting a tool, but configuring it properly, and ensuring user adoption for long term success.
Understand the PROBLEM you are trying to solve, the PRODUCT you are selecting to solve that problem, the PROCESS for which the organization works, and the PEOPLE that are using the new tool.
Problem
Tools should never be sold – they should always solve. From my experiences in both marketing and creative industries, I have understood the struggles first-hand that users encounter when trying to complete work. The first step to tool selection is establishing the problem you are trying to solve. Are you bogged down by spending time constantly trying to distribute files? Are you struggling to keep the most current files at your fingertips? Do you have too many places where files are stored? By clearly establishing the problem, it will remain a strong focus on selecting a tool that will be adopted long-term.
Product
Selecting a product is not easy. There is a lot to take into consideration when choosing the right product for your team. Keep in mind the identified problems to resolve, without setting technical limitations. While the DAM you select should have all the right features and functions, also consider what other tools you already have in your stack. What integrations are available for the DAM you are selecting? What other groups or teams may want to leverage the DAM in the future?
Considerations of cost are equally as important. Time is money, and the DAM you select should help reduce the overhead hours your team is spending searching, delivering, and modifying assets. Will other teams benefit from the addition of a DAM? Teams should be selecting a tool that can grow with the organization, and that can meet their needs. The bottom line is that the DAM you choose should work for you and your team, not the other way around.
Process
Often the problem comes, not only with a need for a tool but the need for understanding of where in the process each tool should sit. After recently attending a DAM conference with a room full of tools, I could see how attendees were overwhelmed. The challenge with “pitching a solution” is that you need to understand the organization and process first. Organizational assessments are vital in selecting the right DAM. It is essential to first understanding workflows and internal organizational structure to provide an educated recommendation that will meet your organization’s needs. Consider scalability. Selecting a solution that works not only for today but also for growth tomorrow. Naturally, organizations shift and change over time, so the tool implementation must be completed with a full understanding of the potential growth of organization and integration.
People
Understanding the organization from high-level executives, IT, and end-users is key to a successful roll-out. Top-down leadership and messaging is key when rolling out a new tool and will help drive user adoption. The most successful clients I have worked with understand that getting key stakeholders involved from the start will help drive success. However, the other side of the coin is involving end-users at all levels. Involving these users will help create champions among the team to ensure the new tool is well adopted. Get your teams involved upfront in part of the tool selection process, develop clear communication, and have a roll-out plan in place.
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We would love to learn about where you are in your DAM journey and discover ways we can ensure your continued success. Contact our team of DAM experts today – email us at info@leappoint.com.
