The most important goal: to reduce risk
At every stage of the digital transformation process, the primary goal is to reduce risk. How can this be achieved? By eliminating the "unknowns" that litter the process. These unknowns can be the use of new software, fluctuating supply costs, labor shortages (or not), and so on.
But the greatest risk of all remains "human", since project management necessarily comes with change management, and some in-house employees may be reluctant to modify their ways of doing things, thus slowing down the momentum of change.
Change management is a bit like driving across a bridge. Your goal is to drive from one end of the bridge to the other. So far, so good. Now let's imagine that crossing the bridge is in some way the delivery of a project. The project leader will have to make sure that the bridge is solid, that the car is gassed up, that the tires are properly inflated, and so on. The change management manager (sometimes the project leader), on the other hand, has to look after the people in the car. Does he have a driver's license? Is he used to driving? In difficult conditions?
At a high level, change management can be said to follow the grieving process: challenge, resistance, exploration, commitment and continuity. All change will pass through this curve, which represents the five major stages that humans will go through during the project. During this process, we want to put in place as many levers as possible to enable the individual to move from "knowledge" to "know-how". In other words, there's a big gap between what the individual acquires in the way of new skills and how he or she will be able to perform in the face of change.
Digital transformation: the first steps
1. Defining the target
First and foremost, we'll need to determine where our "North Star" is, to guide us through the process. In other words, we're going to test what we think we should be doing, or what we want to be doing. If we're not at all sure how to go about it, we'll set up a certain process. First of all, we'll set up a "think tank", a team of people who will ask questions about various subjects: the ESG aspect of the project, the business model, the motivation model, etc. We'll then define where we want to go. This will define where we want to go.
2. Compare the data with the "future of work": what we're aiming for
This is an important step: we use the data gathered in the previous models to "put them through the mill". A concrete example is to run our data through the "journey mapping" (customer path) to better understand the experience they're currently having and where we'd like to take them from here. Other tools exist, such as the service model or the capability model, to better define the target and what it wants to experience in the process.
3. Compare the desired results with our current model
This step is known as the "operations model". In short, we'll compare the data collected in the first two steps with the company's current operations. At what point or level is there a greater or lesser gap between what we're doing and what we want to do? We'll then run the data through the company's existing processes: the way people work, the technological tools and all the tasks that make up operations.
4. Obtain a roadmap
This is the ultimate goal: to be able to design a "high-level roadmap" on the digital "foundations". This step will make it clear what the company needs to change to achieve its goals. It is at this point that those in charge of the transformation project will be able to choose the technological tools that can be used to bring the project to a successful conclusion.
In conclusion
Digital transformation represents a major but necessary challenge for companies. With well-defined steps and a focus on risk and change management, it is possible to successfully navigate this complex process. By identifying business objectives, confronting data with new work trends, and comparing desired outcomes with the current model, companies can design a clear, structured roadmap. This roadmap then becomes a valuable guide to choosing the right technological tools and ensuring a smooth transition.
However, it's important to remember that the greatest challenge is often human. Reluctance to change and the need to move from knowledge to know-how require special attention. By adopting a gradual approach and supporting employees throughout the process, companies can minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of their digital transformation.
Digital transformation is not just about technology, but an opportunity to reinvent processes, stimulate innovation and strengthen organizational resilience in the face of a future full of surprises.
Can a process be modified along the way? Can a professional, at some point, go back to a previous step to review certain parameters or modify a target? The answer to all these questions is "yes"! Never forget that the essence of a transformation process is defined by a circuit that can be moving, sometimes uneven and changing. So, are you up to the challenge?
