1. LEADER OF PROJECTS
Ensure your staff has experts. Develop a master plan and assign someone to the project. An individual in this position should be knowledgeable about new technologies and the news business, as well as able to orchestrate changes. There needs to be a clear understanding of the upcoming change’s objectives and responsibilities. Integrating new technology requires teamwork between departments.
2. PLAN OUT YOUR GOALS
Identify a deadline for integrating and using the equipment. When integrating any new equipment, use the rule of 41s. Plan for a specific target date, but don’t be surprised when it doesn’t happen and it takes four times as long and is four times as trouble as you anticipated.
3. DON’T FORGET TO READ YOUR MANUALS
I receive a lot of phone calls from people who want answers that can be found in the manual for digital photography. It is important to study the manuals before setting up the equipment. The manual is usually copied so I can highlight important points while reading it. The key points will be easier to understand for others this way.
4. Let’s test!
When it comes to newsroom technology, don’t expect plug-and-play to work immediately. A vendor may tell you that the equipment works a certain way, but that does not mean you can use it the same way. A deadline situation is always best handled by visiting another newspaper using the same type of equipment.
5. CALCULATE ACCORDING TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS
The calibration of new equipment to your newspaper’s specifications is one of the biggest challenges in integrating new equipment. Tracking pixels from input to output is time-consuming and energy-consuming. In order to calibrate the entire system, some users don’t bother because there are so many variables. They then wonder why their reproduction is poor.
6. THE MANUALS MUST BE SUMMARISED
Staff members have to undergo extensive training to learn how to use new technology. In order to try a new, unknown way of operating, employees leave their comfortable, known way of operating. It would be extremely beneficial if you could provide updates, manuals, or suggestions that are easy to understand for the staff. The photography department could benefit from a technology bulletin board.
7. OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT BY TRAINING EMPLOYEES
In most cases, this can be done after the equipment has been tested, proven to be reliable, and you know how it will be used on a daily basis. Testing a device while it is being used on a regular basis is a sure way to fail. Give everyone a new digital camera without any training and expect everything to go smoothly. Make sure a group of superusers is trained to help with the training. The employees that will be in major control points of the workflow should be trained. Digital photography uses picture desks and picture editors as control points. Teaching users how to do simple tasks on the new system in small groups (2 to 3). As employees become familiar with the equipment, you can add operating sophistication. Make sure they don’t get overwhelmed with information that they don’t need at the moment. Once all employees have been trained and the equipment has been in use for a period of time, update job descriptions accordingly. It is a continuous process to train employees on new technology. Once the initial training has been completed, it does not cease.
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