Leaders accountable for a programme that has to be used, not just delivered
If you are running an AI rollout or a major system change in a regulated environment, some of this will sound familiar.
The technology is on track, and nobody can say with confidence how many people will use it.
Training is planned for the weeks before go-live, with little support planned for the months after.
Line managers are expected to lead the change and have not been equipped to do it.
AI pilots impressed the steering committee and have not spread beyond the pilot team.
SOPs, validated processes and daily habits pull people back to the old way of working.
Adoption is reported as logins and course completions, which say little about how work is done.
Four things decide whether a programme gets across
These are the four areas AdoptionRidge looks at in every programme, and the same four the risk check scores. They are the starting point for the Adoption Ridge Method, which is being written up from programme experience.
Leadership
A sponsor who stays visible after launch, and line managers who know what they are expected to do differently.
Ways of working
A clear picture of how each role's day changes, with SOPs and validated processes that match the new way.
Capability and support
Practice on realistic scenarios close to the moment of need, and support that lasts well beyond go-live.
Evidence and feedback
Measures that show how work is really done, and a fast route for users to get problems fixed.
Begin with a free check. Go further when it is useful.
Adoption Risk Check
Eight questions that show where your programme is exposed once the launch is behind you. It takes about three minutes and scores you across the four areas.
Take the checkRidgeLearn
A practical online course on leading people through AI and system change, built for programme and change leads. In development now. Substack subscribers hear first.
Subscribe on SubstackAdvisory and delivery
Support for your programme, from a short Adoption Ridge Review to hands-on adoption leadership through go-live and the months that follow.
See how we can work togetherAdoption Risk Check
Answer for one programme you are responsible for. Your answers stay in your browser until you ask for your full results.
Answer all eight questions to see where your programme is exposed.
Ways to work together
Adoption Ridge Review
A short, independent look at a programme before or shortly after go-live. You get a clear view of where adoption is at risk across the four areas, what is already working, and the few actions that will matter most.
Adoption leadership for a live programme
Hands-on adoption and learning leadership inside your programme team, through launch and the months after it, for rollouts such as Veeva, SAP S/4HANA, MES or enterprise AI tools.
AI adoption strategy
A plan for moving AI from pilot to everyday use: which roles change and how, what managers need, how capability is built, and how you will know that people are working differently.
Talks and workshops
Sessions for leadership teams and conferences on the Adoption Ridge: why go-live is the easy part, and what it takes to get people across.
Built inside large technology programmes
The Adoption Ridge comes from more than 20 years of leading the people side of technology change in regulated industries, where a system only pays back once people trust it and use it.
- 20+ years leading change and learning on technology programmes
- Tens of thousands of users reached across global system rollouts
- Regulated industries across life sciences, healthcare and industrial sectors
AdoptionRidge was founded by Varuna Balmogim, a senior change and learning leader based in Switzerland. Founder's background on LinkedIn
Thinking on the Adoption Ridge, by email
Occasional notes on what gets people across the gap between go-live and adoption.
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