 | As summer approaches, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) in education face a critical window of opportunity to implement upgrades, roll out new systems, and refresh technology across their campuses. With tight deadlines before students and teachers return, success hinges not only on technical execution but also on the ability to gain the team’s buy-in as well as the stakeholder’s buy-in. Without commitment, even the best plans can fall flat. To help CTOs lead effective transitions, here are four key strategies to inspire commitment and ensure smoother, successful summer implementations. |
Preplanning: Create a Shared Vision
Hopefully, if some of the summer upgrades will change the way students and staff operate or WHAT they operate, you started by involving teachers, administrators, support staff, students, and community representatives in the planning process. You collaboratively built a vision that reflects your district’s goals and educational values. This inclusivity ensured that everyone feels a sense of ownership over the changes, which naturally leads to greater engagement and accountability. With your team, I am sure you developed a roadmap that outlined the implementation steps, expected outcomes, and evaluation measures. You used “we” language to emphasize collective effort and shared success with your team and with the stakeholders. When they see their input reflected in the plan, their commitment increases.
