Wild Prediction About DAP ROI

Wild prediction: We're going to stop talking about the "ROI" of Digital Adoption Platforms like WalkMe™ Here's why:

Gartner reports indicate that as the Digital Adoption Platforms expand in usage, they are going to be viewed more commonly and become table stakes in orgs.

(I am already seeing new WalkMe customers who were customers of different DAPs in previous companies.)

My prediction is that as the category matures, the common refrain re: "ROI Calculation" will go away over time.

As more companies see the necessity of a Digital Adoption Platform, they will get one, invest in it, commit to it, make it second nature in their organization.

At that point, it's going to be treated in a similar manner to ALL THE OTHER tools companies recognize they need to invest in.

Do we today calculate the ROI of Outlook? 

No, that's how we send email.

Do we today calculate the ROI of WorkDay / SuccessFactors / pick the HCM?

No, that's where all people-related data exist. Reporting relationships, performance reviews, direct deposit, etc.

Do you calculate the ROI of the LMS for our annual compliance training? 

No, we just have to have that.

OK.. How about graphics applications like Canva / Adobe / etc? Do we calculate the ROI of those? 

Hmm.. How many images did we make, how many marketing campaigns did those images go into, how much money did we make from those marketing campaigns?

No, we know we need graphics tools. And we give marketing the budget and they use them.

OK, so remind me how a Digital Adoption Platform is different?

Well, it's new. And they told us there'd be a huge ROI...

What do you think?

Is this going away?

Or are we going to be calculating ROI from here to eternity?