Avoiding AR pitfalls

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) offers unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, accuracy, and training. However, successfully navigating the implementation of AR technologies requires a well-thought-out strategy supported by expert insight and clear foresight. Here are six common pitfalls to avoid when starting an AR project:

Pitfall 1. Not defining a clear strategy and business goals –Without a clear strategy and defined business goals, the project can lose focus and direction, resulting in wasted resources and unmet expectations.

The Tip: Take the time to establish a solid strategy that aligns with your overarching business objectives; clear goals will guide your project from conception through to execution, ensuring every action taken is purposeful and measurable.

Pitfall 2. Choosing the wrong use case for your AR project – This can lead to low value generation and frustration among team members; the initial use case that comes to mind might not always be the optimal one for your company’s needs.

The Tip: Review various potential use cases thoroughly before making a decision. Analyse their feasibility, potential ROI, and alignment with your business objectives. Engage with different teams to gather diverse perspectives and ensure the chosen use case is both practical and impactful.

Pitfall 3. Not Involving the right people in the AR project team – Appointing a project manager unfamiliar with digital technologies or neglecting to involve field operators who will be using the AR solution can result in poor adoption and ineffective solutions.

The Tip: Involve a cross-functional team from the beginning. Include stakeholders from IT, operations, and end-users to ensure diverse input and buy-in. Appoint a project manager with experience in digital transformation projects and provide training to enhance their understanding of AR technologies.

Pitfall 4. Having a preconceived idea of the ideal AR hardware – Focusing on a single type of AR technology can lead to complex integrations, dissatisfaction among users, and ergonomic issues. This narrow approach may result in the AR hardware being underutilised or abandoned.

The Tip: Explore different AR hardware options based on your specific use case, work cell environment, and limitations. Consider factors such as ease of integration, user satisfaction, and ergonomics. Arrange demonstrations to validate your decision and ensure the selected technology aligns with your requirements.

Pitfall 5. Not anticipating the integration part – This can lead to bottlenecks and delays during deployment. Misalignment with IT standards and existing systems can further complicate matters.

The Tip: Define the technical requirements clearly from the outset and ensure alignment with your IT standards. Collaborate with your IT department to address potential integration challenges early on, paving the way for smooth operations and efficient deployment.

Pitfall 6. Not measuring key indicators before the start of the project – Without identifying relevant metrics and establishing a baseline at the beginning of the project, assessing ROI becomes challenging and can undermine the project’s perceived value and impact.

The Tip: Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business goals and establish a baseline before starting the project. Regularly measure and analyse these metrics to track progress and demonstrate the project’s value using AR technology to stakeholders.

Avoiding these common pitfalls can set the stage for a successful AR project launch, but ensuring ongoing success requires a comprehensive and detailed approach.

Hélène Druet is senior offer marketing manager at DELMIA