8 Keys to a Successful AEM Implementation
Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a powerful and flexible content management system. Successfully implementing AEM can be a challenge, and through the hundreds of AEM sites that Blue Acorn iCi has launched, we have noted several key factors that promote a successful implementation.
Here are our keys to successfully implementing AEM.
1. Clearly define your strategy
Commit a few weeks to a strategy phase to assess your current state, define requirements, mitigate risks and create the AEM reuse and implementation strategy across multiple domains.
2. Start with a pilot site
An AEM implementation is complex and carries risks. Manage risks and learn about AEM development, integration, and authoring by first implementing AEM on a pilot site, and then on a flagship site.
3. Maximize knowledge share
Bring in an outside partner for specific AEM expertise and experience. Demand visibility into the implementation process to make sure the functionality can be maintained after the partner leaves.
What do Warby Parker and Procter & Gamble have in common? They own the customer experience. Learn how you can too with Blue Acorn iCi’s report “Own the Customer Experience with Direct to Consumer.”
4. Create an appropriate team structure
Combine your internal team with an experienced implementation partner. The collaboration leads to a greater likelihood of self-sufficiency for your organization following launch.
5. Change your business processes
Adapt and modernize business processes to suit the strengths of AEM. It can improve organizational efficiency and user experience. AEM implementations get expensive when you ignore business process.
6. Think creatively to satisfy business needs
Think creatively about how AEM templates and components can be built or modified to suit the needs of multiple web pages, websites and business units. It will lead to less cost overall.
7. Don’t skimp on quality
Quality Assurance (QA) is critical to success, but it is often a bottleneck. Invest in QA resources to increase delivery team throughput.
8. Enroll authors early in the process
Authors provide insights about how AEM and existing processes can be blended, modified, or created to improve publishing. Enrolling authors also helps AEM adoption after site launch.
Need help with an AEM implementation? Let’s talk!