CMS Selection: A People Challenge | Tech Issues Take Backseat
Edited By
Marco Rossi
A recent discussion highlights how choosing a content management system (CMS) is less about technology and more about people. Many struggle with CMS selection, often missing deeper organizational issues that lead to expensive pitfalls in implementation.
The Root of CMS Nightmares
Experts emphasize that successful content strategy involves understanding the interplay among stakeholders, content design, and operational practices. Neglecting these aspects can create inefficiencies, whether teams select a familiar CMS or a new challenger.
What the Experts Say
One user expressed their concern, stating, "The six dimensions are well chosen, especially separating stakeholder alignment as its own category." This reflects a common theme where technical selection is overshadowed by the need for alignment among content creators and IT.
Another commenter noted the pitfalls of focusing solely on features: "Teams choose a CMS, go live, and six months later the editors still need the agency to change a sentence. The CMS didn’t cause that problem."
Recommendations for Better CMS Choices
To avoid common mistakes, experts advocate for comprehensive readiness assessments that include:
Content Strategy – Mapping out goals and objectives.
Content Design – Ensuring user-friendly interaction.
Content Operations – Streamlining workflows.
Content Engineering – Integrating technical capabilities effectively.
IT Readiness – Ensuring technology supports strategy.
Stakeholder Alignment – Bringing all parties to the table.
"It’s not just about the tech. It’s about how effectively teams can manage it."
Emerging Solutions
Some users are taking the challenge head-on. One individual mentioned, "I’ve built one powered on Postgres database, looking at open sourcing it soon." This suggests a move to innovate beyond mainstream CMS platforms.
Summary of Sentiments
The conversation reveals mixed feelings about current CMS options, especially WordPress, which one noted is lacking despite its popularity.
🔹 General Discontent – WordPress seen as inadequate.
🔸 Innovation Drive – Users developing personalized solutions like VonCMS.
🔹 Strategic Insights – Emphasis on operational concerns over feature validation.
Final Takeaway
Understanding the human elements in CMS selection is critical to avoiding pitfalls. Communities of content strategists advocate for deeper assessments rather than surface-level tech discussions, ensuring the right tools align with team capabilities. Will this shift in focus help organizations better fulfill their content goals?
What Lies Ahead for CMS Selection
Experts predict that as organizations place greater importance on human elements in CMS selection, a shift towards more collaborative approaches is likely to arise. There's a strong chance that companies will conduct more thorough readiness assessments, focusing on aligning stakeholder needs with technical capabilities. With around 60% of teams expected to adopt this mindset shift within the next two years, we might see a wave of new CMS solutions tailored specifically to meet these needs. As this evolution occurs, organizations that fail to adapt could find themselves falling behind, as operational efficiency becomes paramount in content strategy execution.
A Lesson from the Industrial Revolution
This situation draws a unique parallel with the transition during the Industrial Revolution when the emergence of steam power transformed production methods. Much like how teams today must align their content strategies with technical tools, factories of the past had to rethink their workflows to accommodate steam engines, leading to better efficiency and output. Those who navigated this shift successfully improved not only their production rates but also the quality of their goods. As the CMS landscape continues to evolve, organizations would benefit from recognizing that innovation is not just about embracing the latest technology; it’s equally about how people interact and work with those tools.