Digital transformation
Digital transformation is the evolution of an organisation through changes to its business, capabilities, processes and experience, supported by digital technology
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
Its scope goes beyond adopting tools. It requires prioritising problems, preparing teams and measuring results. Digitising an existing procedure can be an improvement, but it does not in itself mean transforming the business model.
Variants and linked concepts
- Digitisation. Digitisation converts information or processes into digital formats. It can be part of a wider transformation, but it is not the same thing.
Frequently asked questions about Digital transformation
How do you choose the first process to transform in a digital transformation?
Choose a relevant problem, with a manageable scope and enough evidence to compare the starting situation with the change. There should be someone with the authority to act on the whole process, including its dependencies. Starting with the most visible tool can leave the causes untouched. A useful pilot lets you learn about the organization, as well as show that a technology works.
What needs to be prepared for digital transformation besides the technology?
Responsibilities, team capabilities and the way decisions about the service are made need to be prepared. It is also worth reviewing what information each activity needs and how issues will be resolved. Introducing a tool without adapting the work can preserve duplication or shift it to another area. Training helps, but it needs to be accompanied by operational changes that allow what is learned to be applied.
How do you know if a digital transformation pilot is worth scaling up?
It should show that the change addresses the intended problem and that the organization can sustain it. Evaluate the service outcome, the workload and incidents, as well as technical performance. If the pilot depends on exceptions or support that will not be available later, its success may be hard to replicate. Scaling up requires explaining which conditions will be kept and which will change.