Question

Topic: Research/Metrics

The Percentage Of Software Power Utilized

Posted by Frank Hurtte on 4/5/2009 at 5:36 PM ET 500 Points
This is a two part question:
I believe the average person/company only utilizes a fraction of the power of the software technology they own. For instance, millions of people own MS Office, yet only a fraction know how to sort data in a spreadsheet or know how to merge lists and word documents.

My question:
What percentage of software power do you believe is used in business?

What proof anecdotal or otherwise do you have to back up the claim?

I intend to include some of the highlights of this very informal survey in an article I am writing.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 4/5/2009 at 5:37 PM Author
    I would also appreciate any links to published articles touching on this topic...
  • Posted on 4/5/2009 at 7:10 PM Accepted
    Strictly an opinion: I'd guess that something less than 10% of the features are used, perhaps less than 5%.

    I'd further guess that fewer than 5% of users utilize more than 20% of the features.

    Most of the popular software packages have a very broad and sophisticated array of features, and it's unlikely that any one user uses most of them. The problem (for software manufacturers) is that different people need/use different features, so they need to include a lot of them in order to cover the needs of 90% of the users.

    My opinion only. If I find some support for this, I'll be back.
  • Posted on 4/5/2009 at 7:59 PM Accepted
    I think it probably varies by company size and type of software. My guess is that mid-size businesses might be the lowest users - small businesses need to become savvy quickly and wear multiple hats, so they probably seek to find ways to use what they have. Large businesses can employ large IT departments, which can direct users on what apps are best, when to use what, training, etc. In terms of type of software, organizations are probably a lot more knowledgeable about packages more commonly used (e.g., Word). It also depends upon how you define "software technology they own", as software-as-service can substantially increase the base of what's available.

    Here are some articles that might help - they may not be directly relevant, but they may lead you to some other helpful sources:

    https://www.smsmallbiz.com/technology/Software_Should_Guide_PC_Buying.html

    https://www.computerworld.com/action/executivebriefings.do?command=viewExec...

  • Posted by koen.h.pauwels on 4/6/2009 at 3:58 AM Member
    Besides company size and software type, I believe this varies a lot by person-to-person:

    In my case, 10% would be about right for any technology; I am the kind of user that discovers useful applications on his Iphone after owning it for half a year...simply not enough in technology. I buy software for 1 key application I need and then depend on other users to suggest other useful features. In other words, I use soo little because I am not aware of it.

    In contrast, several people in my family (mostly engineers and doctors) are very much into technology and typically spend a full day exploring all the possibilities of their new toy. I guess they would know about 90% of the applications. Still, they would typically use only 30% on a regular basis; the other features are not of particular use to them.
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 4/6/2009 at 6:49 AM Accepted
    From https://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/04/01/8372... about 10% of the features (for Microsoft Word for an "average" user).

    Also: https://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2008/02/most-frequently-used-features-in.... shows the most used features (from 2003) in Microsoft Word.
  • Posted by jstiles on 4/6/2009 at 11:45 AM Member
    I would also agree that underutilization of features is very common with software. However it is not unique to it either. Consider that few people read an entire newspaper or shop in every aisle of the grocery store. People use only what they need.

    As mentioned here already software is designed to appeal to all types of users so naturally there will be features some have no use for. I'm pretty aggressive about searching for new features to complete various tasks and even I don't think I'm getting all I need out of the applications.

    My rough guess is the average user probably uses just 10% of the overall capability.

    Best of luck!
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 4/10/2009 at 8:44 AM Author
    Thanks for the great answers.

    This was exactly what I needed. Jay - you're response in particular is exactly what I searched for and didnt find. We've got to share search techniques off line.
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