How to Build Programs People Actually Use

Well-designed programs don’t just check a box; they solve a real problem. Here’s how to build initiatives that get adopted, not ignored.

We’ve all seen them: the beautifully branded, thoughtfully scoped programs that no one uses.

A mentorship initiative that no one signs up for. A recognition platform that people forget about after Week 1. A DEI strategy that lives in a PDF.

These aren’t bad ideas. They’re often deeply needed. But they fail for one simple reason: they were built in a vacuum.

Common Reasons Programs Fail

1. No Stakeholder Co-Creation: The people most impacted weren’t part of the design.

2. Too Much Focus on Optics: Executive buy-in is prioritized over actual adoption.

3. Lack of Problem Clarity: The program solves something that leadership thinks is a problem, without validating it first.

4. Poor Launch Strategy: Programs are rolled out with a splashy email but no integration into workflows.

5. No Feedback Loop: Once it launches, no one checks if it’s still meeting needs.

A Better Way to Build

1. Start with the Problem, Not the Idea

   • Interview the people affected.

   • Identify pain points before you brainstorm solutions.

   • Ask: "What would meaningful support look like to you?"

2. Co-Design with End Users

   • Form a working group with a mix of roles, perspectives, and geographies.

   • Let them weigh in at every stage: problem definition, solution ideas, pilot structure.

3. Prototype, Pilot, Iterate

   • Build small first. Roll out to one team or region.

   • Observe what happens. Document behavior, not just feedback.

   • Tweak based on what people actually do, not just what they say.

4. Communicate Like a Human, Not a Brand

   • Replace corporate jargon with clear, friendly copy.

   • Focus on what’s in it for them. Use real stories when you can.

5. Bake It Into Existing Workflows

   • Don’t make it one more tool or task. Ask: "Where does this naturally fit?"

   • Integrate into onboarding, manager check-ins, or existing team rituals.

6. Create a Long-Term Ownership Model

   • Don’t leave it hanging once the launch is over.

   • Assign a program steward to measure adoption, listen for signals, and evolve it over time.

One Final Thought

If a program isn’t being used, it’s not a failure of communication, it’s a failure of design.

Build slowly. Build with people. And build for what’s really needed, not what looks impressive in a slide deck.