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What is derailing your digital transformation?

It’s no secret that digital transformation can be a bit of a minefield. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, and it’s often hard to know where to start. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common problems that arise during digital transformation and how you can avoid them.

Lack of governance model and standards

One of the most common problems that organisations face when attempting to carry out a digital transformation is the lack of a governance model and standards. Without these in place, it can be difficult to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and that the transformation is proceeding as planned.

Without governance, it can be difficult to decide which technologies to use or how to implement them. This can lead to frustration among employees and managers alike, as well as a feeling that the transformation is not proceeding smoothly.

Standards are also important in ensuring that the transformation is successful. Without standards, different teams may be using different technologies or following different processes, making it difficult to integrate data and systems. This can lead to delays and frustration as teams attempt to figure out how to work together.

The lack of a governance model and standards can derail a digital transformation and lead to frustration and delays. Organisations should put these in place before beginning any transformation effort.

Lack of an architecture or integration roadmap

Digital transformations are often hampered by a lack of an architecture or integration roadmap. This can lead to several problems, including:

  • Lack of alignment between business and IT goals
  • Inadequate understanding of dependencies
  • Limited visibility into the overall transformation landscape
  • Difficulty making mid-course corrections

An architecture or integration roadmap provides a clear and concise view of the digital transformation journey, helping to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on the goals and objectives. It also makes it easier to identify potential risks and issues and to make course corrections when necessary.

Lack of an innovation culture

One of the most common problems that can derail a digital transformation is a lack of an innovation culture. To successfully undergo a digital transformation, it’s important to have a culture that supports and encourages innovation.

Without this type of culture, employees may resist change and new ideas, which can ultimately lead to the transformation failing. To create an innovation culture, organisations need to encourage creativity and risk-taking, provide resources for employees to experiment with new ideas, and create an environment where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn.

Lack of leadership commitment and ownership

One of the most common problems that derail digital transformations is a lack of leadership commitment and ownership. Too often, digital transformations are seen as projects that can be delegated to lower-level staff or consultants when in reality, they require senior-level buy-in and oversight to be successful. Without leadership commitment, digital transformations often stall out or fail to live up to their potential.

Defining the value proposition too narrowly

One of the most common problems derailing a digital transformation is defining the value proposition too narrowly. When this happens, organisations can miss out on opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the board.

Also Read: ‘Neobanks can create a better digital CX by leveraging AI, blockchain’: banco CEO

To avoid this problem, it’s important to take a holistic view of the organisation and what it wants to achieve with its digital transformation. By doing so, you can ensure that all areas of the business are considered and that the value proposition is defined in a way that will maximise improvements.

Overlooking the people’s side of change

One of the most common problems that derail digital transformations is overlooking the people’s side of change. Too often, organisations focus on the technical aspects of change and fail to consider how their employees will adapt to new ways of working. This can lead to resistance and confusion, which can ultimately hinder the success of your transformation.

To avoid this, it’s important to involve employees in the planning and implementation phases of your transformation. This will help ensure that they understand the changes and are more likely to embrace them. Furthermore, be sure to communicate regularly with employees throughout the process to keep them updated on progress and address any concerns they may have.

Not being customer-centric

One of the most common problems derailing your digital transformation is not being customer-centric. This means that you are not focused on providing a great experience for your customers, and instead, you are focused on other things. For example, you might be focused on technology or process instead of customer needs.

Another problem that can occur is when you try to copy another company’s digital transformation instead of creating your own. This can lead to problems because you are not taking into account your company’s specific needs.

Finally, you might also run into problems if you do not have a clear plan for your digital transformation. Without a plan, it can be difficult to execute your transformation and achieve the desired results.

Implementation failures

One of the most common problems that can derail a digital transformation is an implementation failure. This can happen when a company tries to roll out a new digital platform or system but doesn’t have the right infrastructure in place to support it. Without a strong foundation, the new system can quickly become overloaded and break down.

Also Read: How digital technology can transform the food and beverage industry

Another common issue is a lack of user adoption. Even if a digital transformation is successful from a technical standpoint, it can still fail if employees and customers don’t actually use the new system. This can happen for various reasons, such as a complex user interface or a lack of training.

Finally, many digital transformations are hampered by data silos. When information is spread across different departments or systems, it can be difficult to get a holistic view of the business. This can make it hard to make decisions or take advantage of new opportunities.

IT and line of business silos

One of the most common problems that can derail a digital transformation is when IT and line of business silos fail to communicate and collaborate effectively. This can lead to project delays, misaligned priorities, and ultimately a poor return on investment.

To avoid this problem, it’s important to ensure that there is open communication and collaboration between IT and the line of business from the start. Furthermore, it’s also crucial to have a clear plan and roadmap for the digital transformation so that everyone is on the same page.

Unclear roles and responsibilities

One of the most common problems that derailed digital transformations is the lack of clarity around roles and responsibilities. This can lead to confusion and frustration among employees, as well as a feeling that the transformation is being imposed on them rather than being something they’re buying into.

To avoid this, it’s important to ensure that everyone understands their role in the transformation and what’s expected of them. This can be done through regular communication and training sessions. It’s also crucial to get feedback from employees throughout the process to ensure they feel empowered and engaged.

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