Building a digital thread is a strategic move for any enterprise and one that can materially contribute operational efficiency, resulting in increased margins and overall profitability. Understanding how and why you will be undertaking this transition, a process known as creating the Digital Transformation Roadmap, is as critical as the transition itself, and provides direction to the entire organization.
Digital Transformation Roadmap Drives Success
What is a Digital Transformation Roadmap? A Digital Transformation Roadmap is both a mindset and a planning document that allows your organization to visualize your move from where you are now (current situation, technologies, and processes) to where you want to be after implementation (the digital transformation).
Why use a Digital Transformation Roadmap? Overcoming many of the challenges related to a digital transformation is made easier by understanding your goals, your resources, and your timeline for implementation. This requires a well defined Digital Transformation Roadmap to raise the chances of success.
What steps, commitments, milestones, or other consideration should be in a well defined Digital Transformation Roadmap? The objective of this thinking and related document is to set direction and help manage the overall initiative. So, when defining your roadmap, start by focusing on these critical steps:
- Understanding what value your transformation will provide: Consider what your overall objectives are with this project. Will you be creating a revenue stream with new software, or simply streamlining your existing operation with digital processes. Which departments will see the biggest returns, and is there benefit for all?
- Securing commitment and funding from management: Ensure that the management team is committed to the budgetary dollars and the backing you require to complete a project of this scale. Think beyond just dollars and cents, and include time of team members and supporting operations in your calculations.
- Deciding on what business areas to pilot the transition: Determine if you are rolling this transformation out all at once or if you will be selecting an area to pilot? Is there a good candidate that can be the beacon that all other areas can aspire to become?
- Selecting a team to undertake this high-stakes project: Who do you need to make this project a success. Have you covered all of the potential implementation and knowledge areas? Are there political considerations to a project this size?
- Create a digital first culture: Determine the skills and knowledge needed on the entire team to make implementation of the project a success. Are there areas when extra training and follow up will be necessary? Is there a critical process or department that will need more attention than others?
- Properly define the project progression steps: You will need a timeline to ensure you are on schedule. Team members and management will need to understand what success looks like and when they should expect it, so creating a step-wise plan to evaluate will be required.
- Grow the transformation across your organization: Once you launch your project, what's the plan for scaling up? Just because you have the new systems in place doesn't mean you have completed the job, in many cases the work has just begun! Have a timeline for pushing out implementation to the people and processes throughout your organization.
Every business, and every digital transition, will have a unique roadmap. There will certainly be more to consider than just the above - and in much more detail. But with the proper amount of planning, considered thought, and well defined objections, they will have the same result.
The result: A connected organization using a real-time informational ecosystem to make more informed, data-driven decisions to increase profitability.
Overwhelmed? Let us Help
Don't go it alone! Boston Engineering will work with you to define a road map that solves your business challenges and develops proofs of concept showcasing these solutions. We’ll help you build consensus within your organization, leveraging the latest AR, VR, IoT, and other technologies. Additionally , we provide training and support for these technologies, enabling your organization to boost operational efficiency and profitability as well as expand your organization’s ability to innovate.
Don't wait any longer. Reach out to us for a consultation today.
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