IT Transformation Journey: 6 steps to digital transformation

The future is digital - IT transformation is not only optional but necessary for modern enterprises. Companies that continue to innovate can keep up with the market demand, and those who refuse to adapt to new technologies might have undesirable consequences.

Digital transformation goes beyond technology and tools. It is a cultural change that unites workers, data and operations to facilitate collaboration, deliver an improved customer experience and dispatch better results in an ever-changing digital-first environment.

Contemporary organizations have understood the importance of undergoing a digital transformation process. In a new McKinsey Global Survey on digital transformations, more than eight in ten respondents say their organizations have undertaken such efforts in the past five years. But not all of them were successful.

Why are companies failing to undergo a digital transformation?

First, any change is complex, and inexperienced companies struggle to identify the steps needed for successful execution. The best practice to secure a successful transformation is to cooperate with experts that can provide a solid strategy and lead the company to success.

What does a successful digital transformation journey look like?

Phase 1:Business as usual
The first phase shows a traditional enterprise model that has not undergone any transformation and still deals with traditional business values and siloed data. The organization operates in the way they always have, with a familiar legacy view on customers and processes, business models and technology. As a result, changes are prolonged and hard to initiate.

Phase 2: Active
In each traditional company, small departments start like beacons to experiment, whilst innovation drives forward throughout the organization. The proactive improvement of specific processes and routines originates.

Phase 3: Formalized
Bolder initiative, distributed through all departments. Experimentation becomes intentional, and change demands support from an executive level for new technology and resources.

Phase 4: Strategic
After choosing to work with a partner that can lead the digital transformation process and implement new agile tools, departments acknowledge the strength of cross-department collaboration. Their work, research and shared content is contributing to the digital transformation. Need for ownership and further investments.

Phase 5: Converged
Dedicated teams for transformation and innovation are gathering to guide strategy and operations based on business and customer-centric goals. New processes to support change are set by the partner supporting the case.

Phase 6: Innovative
Executives and strategists recognize that change is constant. A new agile ecosystem serves to identify new ways of working and act upon technology and trends in pilots. At scale, processes improve, and new ways of working are provided to the whole organization.

Wherever you might be on your transformation journey, demicon could serve as your torch guiding you to the next phase. With nearly 15 years of experience in agile transformation and a unique customer- and project portfolio, we'd be pleased to share our knowledge with you.