How to go about a digital transformation

Summary of results of phase I – “defining the direction” and kicking off the workstreams

In this article, we have discussed the importance of a strategic approach to digital transformation. We have highlighted the critical inputs required for a successful digital transformation strategy, including user benefits, business objectives, and a clear and compelling vision. We have also discussed the importance of setting up workstreams that translate the vision into detailed and actionable roadmaps, requirements, and initiatives.
In phase 1 of the digital transformation journey, we have emphasized the importance of identifying customer segmentation and prioritizing those segments, understanding the key benefits that those segments and users are seeking to achieve, defining business objectives, and deriving a vision from both user benefits and business objectives. We have then translated that vision into workstreams that focus on creating roadmaps bridging the as-is status in the to-be vision per area.
By taking a strategic approach and following these steps, organizations can develop a digital transformation strategy that is tailored to their unique needs and goals and that – most importantly – is setup in a value-maximizing way.

Ideal setup of a digital transformation initiative.
Anonymized example from one of the largest digital transformations globally.
Copyright: Digital Leadership AG, all rights reserved.

10. What we do at Digital Leadership to support a digital transformation

At Digital Leadership, we specialize in supporting organizations through their digital transformation journey. Our expertise lies in helping businesses define their digital transformation blueprint, which is a comprehensive strategy that outlines the necessary steps and actions required to transform their organization digitally.

Our approach to developing a digital transformation blueprint involves a thorough analysis of the organization's current state, including its existing technology infrastructure, processes, and culture. We then work closely with our clients to identify their business objectives and key user benefits, which help inform the vision for the digital transformation.

Once the vision is established, we break down the transformation into actionable workstreams, each with its own roadmap, backlog, and scope. Our experienced team members work closely with our clients as true partners to ensure that each workstream is aligned with the overall vision and objectives, and that progress is made in a steady way, avoiding the usual “zig-zag” organizations often face.

Throughout the process, we provide our clients with access to our proven digital transformation methodology, tools, and templates, as well as support in project and program management, change management, and stakeholder management. Our goal is to ensure that our clients not only achieve their digital transformation objectives but also become self-sufficient in their digital capabilities and are able to sustain long-term success in the digital age.

1^ An introductory article is available here: https://bit.ly/3zzXYg6 (Wilson 2009). However, anecdotal evidence is available all around us. Just one example: our fear of losing money is proven to be more important than the hope of winning money. For this reasons, most people barely invest in the stock market, keeping their hard-earned money instead in a checking account that yielding negative returns due to inflation. This is totally crazy, if you think about it!

2^ Moments of truth refer to critical interactions or touchpoints between a customer and a brand that have a significant impact on the overall customer experience. These moments can occur at various stages of the customer journey, such as when a customer is considering a purchase, when they interact with customer service, or when they receive their product or service. These interactions can either positively or negatively affect a customer's perception of a brand and can ultimately impact their loyalty and likelihood to recommend the brand to others. Identifying and optimizing moments of truth is important for companies that want to improve the customer experience and build strong relationships with their customers.