Driving CMMS Adoption: Proven Strategies for Successful Change and Continuous Learning

Leading organizational change is never straightforward—especially when it involves new technology. Industry data reveal that nearly three‑quarters of IT projects falter, and in maintenance, 90 % of CMMS failures stem from under‑utilization or complete abandonment. Don’t let your organization become a statistic.

To help you avoid that fate, we sat down with Devon Aaroe, Water Resource Manager for the City of Dawson Creek, and Gordon Mielke, Wastewater Treatment Operator, both of whom navigated the transition from paper to digital with Fiix. Their insights—shared in this webinar recording—highlight the tactics that turned a risky initiative into a lasting operational advantage.

Watch the full recording to uncover fresh ideas, solve pressing questions, and reinforce best practices for leading change. You can also download and listen to the audio version of the webinar using the embedded link below.

Devon Aaroe AScT, PMP

Water Resource Manager

City of Dawson Creek

Gordon Mielke AScT

Wastewater Treatment Operator

EOCP Level III Sewage Treatment Plant

Brief Synopsis

Devon first learned the cost of poor buy‑in when a document‑control rollout collapsed. Armed with those lessons, he partnered with operators like Gordon to ensure the Fiix CMMS truly served the team’s needs.

As a manager, your job is managing the people, and their job is managing the facility. First, it needs to work for my team, and then I’ll make it work for me.
— Devon Aaroe

Their shared goal—boosting reliability and uptime for municipal water and wastewater—drove a careful, collaborative selection and implementation process.

Creating a Sense of Ownership

Buy‑in is a buzzword that rarely comes naturally. Devon understood that user experience alone wouldn’t win hearts; participation did. He narrowed the field to two front‑runners, then let every operator test both solutions. The unanimous choice: Fiix.

When I sat through that selection process it felt awesome. It was really nice to be able to choose. I wanted it to be less than 3‑clicks to get anywhere.
— Gordon Mielke

Pro Tip: Invite end‑users to demo and decide—ownership fuels enthusiasm.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Frame a CMMS rollout as a project: defined start, end, targets, timelines, and resources. Devon’s team included a senior operator on a 6‑month contract who added 1,400 assets and 400 SMs, an admin, a planning manager with PM experience, and champion Gordon.

It will initially cause more problems than it solves, but in the long run, it will save time and money.
— Devon Aaroe

Pro Tip: Be transparent about time, budget, and the effort required—nothing happens in isolation.

The Importance of a Champion

Early adopters can be the tipping point. Gordon’s tech savviness and prior CMMS experience made him an instant advocate, sharing ideas and troubleshooting with peers. Devon empowered him with admin rights, accelerating configuration to fit the whole team.

He could help me live as an operator, see what I can’t see.
— Devon Aaroe

Remember: a “detractor” who keeps raising issues may actually be a hidden champion—engaged but frustrated by gaps. Give them influence and they can help shape the solution.

Pro Tip: Identify champions early and elevate peer‑to‑peer influencers.

Building Positive Momentum

The first 90 days are critical. Even small wins—like resolving login glitches—build confidence. Devon scheduled weekly stand‑ups to surface pain points and close the loop on fixes, keeping the conversation with Fiix open and responsive.

The back and forth between us and Fiix was huge. In my previous experience there was no communication between the software developers and the people who were trying to implement the software.
— Gordon Mielke

Pro Tip: Frequent check‑ins and a feedback loop sustain momentum.

Everboarding

Once the system is adopted, it’s no longer a project; it becomes a continuous learning journey—everboarding. Fiix isn’t just onboarding; it’s woven into performance management and one‑on‑one coaching.

Fiix is a part of our onboarding and training but also a part of our ongoing performance management and one‑on‑one process.
— Devon Aaroe

At Dawson Creek, seasoned users mentor newcomers, sharpening their own skills while ensuring that maintenance teams track preventive versus emergency work accurately.

Pro Tip: Integrate your CMMS into training and performance processes to foster continuous professional growth.

Additional Resources for the Fiix Community

Devon and Gordon share even more insights in the full webinar. If you’re starting a digital transformation or need fresh ideas to revive a stalled project, dive into their experience. We also offer one‑on‑one coaching—reach out to your customer success manager to learn more.

Read Our 12 Best Practices for a Successful CMMS Implementation

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