The detailed transition plan for ArcGIS Pro has proven successful, and the software has been in use for almost a year. The goal is to have new projects completed in ArcGIS Pro in 2023. Bauman says because the HDR team leveraged channels that staff were already familiar with, including SharePoint, Webex, and Teams, people were much more comfortable when finding support and resources.
"Staff didn't have to learn a new way to communicate. They just had to focus on the subject matter," Bauman says. "I think it's been helpful to have those programs already in place."
The success of the multifaceted plan has been recognized at a national level and led to its adoption in the organization. For example, Davis says the director of the applied technology office at HDR would like to utilize the Going Pro initiative as a model for other major technology transitions.
For other organizations migrating to ArcGIS Pro, Brown says meeting people where they are is key. She recommends providing a myriad of resources for staff to find support and give them an outlet to express their challenges.
"Sometimes the struggle is with the technology itself," says Brown. "And so having honest answers, being up-front and providing an outlet for feedback, and then showing them that their concerns are being heard and addressed is important."
Brown also says it is critical to involve management early and get its support by communicating the benefits of the new technology, why it's needed, and why an investment in the transition is necessary. Additionally, understanding the human element in any transition is important. Bauman says that change is difficult and can be very emotional for people, so keeping that in mind when crafting communications is important.
"Don't do all the talking," says Bauman. "Do make sure that everything you put out there is a two-way conversation, that you're listening to people's challenges and hearing about the exciting things they're working on."
She adds, "Technology adoption is a discovery process, and to provide the best support to your teams, I'd suggest using at least one platform that allows everyone to share and talk about it openly. It's all about creating community. We're learning ArcGIS Pro together."