Tackling Software Paralysis Before It Hurts Employees and Organizational Objectives

The workplace today faces a litany of historic challenges, with "more software" being one of the resolutions. And the "more software" approach has led to employees feeling software paralysis. It is the overwhelming feeling of being stuck in context switching between many applications, or needing to remember how to complete a task. Or both.

However, the issue is often an afterthought for many decision-makers. Or worse, it’s not a thought at all. On account of the highly digitalized environments today, employees need better support. NTUC LearningHub's Digital Transformation Report found that 35% of employees in Singapore feel that digital adoption is outpacing their ability to adapt, while nearly half think they lack the required tech skills. At the same time, 29% don't see the benefits of digital transformation in daily work.

These numbers highlight the unease among the workforce that can be traced back to the stress caused by software paralysis. Indeed, employees definitely have an opinion about where organizations can help, with 61% telling the NTUC Learning Hub survey that training is critical and 60% wanting more time to adapt to new technology, digital systems or processes. The onus, then, is on organizations to heed these calls or face the possibility of a talent exodus.

The software paradox

Unfortunately, the technology designed to improve employee productivity often, ironically, ends up pushing them too far. As staff feel the weight of increased expectations on their performance, IT implemented haphazardly can worsen their physical and mental health.

It is vital, then, that organizations understand what causes technology-induced stress in the first place. One such reason is techno-insecurity, which comes from the pressure of keeping up with the latest technologies. Learning how to use new and existing digital tools takes a toll on workers, often leading to technostress.

Secondly, excessive notifications or prolonged staring at screens can cause digital overload, triggering irritability, mood shifts, poorer vision, and sleep difficulties. This is further compounded by integrating complex technologies, heightening employees' frustrations and hindering process efficiency.

Technology spillover is another concern, as overexposure to technologies can lead to employees being unable to set boundaries between their work and personal lives. This often creates scenarios of working outside of business hours or using IT assets unrelated to work, violating organizational norms and jeopardizing productivity.

Barriers to reducing stress

Overcoming software paralysis is a complex issue, as organizations cannot simply eliminate the use of technology altogether. While the digital revolution is here to stay, IT teams must balance technology integration with employee well-being to avoid overburdening them.

They also need to foster a healthy culture that supports their employees. This includes unifying an endless list of needs, desires and problems with the organization's goals.

Lastly, it should be noted that resistance to change is normal due to the uncertainty that it invariably brings. Employees may even worry about how these solutions might outright replace them. For this reason, it is essential that organizations train employees to allay any concerns and retain workers with tremendous potential for growth.

Effective measures to minimize overload    

Deploying technologies without triggering employee anxiety requires organizations to foster an environment that allows them to learn quickly. The first step is to take into account employee feedback on how the new solution can impact their roles. This way, decision-makers can invest in IT that aligns digital transformation with business objectives.

Even before deployment, employees must be educated on how to use a solution and its benefits. This is where digital adoption platforms (DAPs) come into play, as they offer in-app guidance and analytics that can help employees conduct their duties effectively while allowing IT management to make data-driven decisions. DAPs also enable IT teams to identify software and platforms with overlapping functions so they can reduce waste and optimize the number of apps users need to learn and use

While technology is ever-present, it does not change the fact that organizations are made up of people. That's why business leaders must sit down and take stock of how software paralysis impacts their employees' morale. Failure to act will only gut morale and, ultimately, be detrimental to the business.

Vivek Behl, digital transformation officer at WalkMe, wrote this article.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CDOTrends. Image credit: iStockphoto/kazuma seki