THE JOURNEY
When embarking on a digital or business transformation, it’s crucial to focus on the journey rather than fixating on a static destination. Some ways to keep moving along include establishing a shared vision and a North Star, devising an enterprise roadmap based on an understanding of the actual challenges we’re trying to solve, and following a structured methodology to lead the way—all while maintaining a flexible and agile mindset.
“The Journey: A Consultant Approach to Kickstart Digital Transformation” explores these and other transformational components by following Jim as he leads the digital transformation at HealthDev, a healthcare device manufacturing company. Throughout this short novel, Jim takes a consulting approach to drive organizational, technology, and process changes in a company that has been left behind in the digital age, all while balancing work and personal commitments. It also offers fresh perspectives to enhance your understanding of digital transformation.
Finally, it provides a practical way to kickstart any transformation, regardless of industry and business size, based on real-life experiences from the author, colleagues, and consulting firms’ leaders working with Fortune 250 organizations. It does not delve into the execution of specific transformation initiatives, but rather on how to build buy-in and momentum when focusing on key challenges that bring value to the organization.
The key topics included in this book are:
Consulting 101: Current state, gap analysis & future state storyboarding
Digital opportunities across functions
Transformation initiatives’ prioritization
Budget challenges and sources of funding
Product and project-centric IT
Role of people and culture
Focusing on pragmatic solutions and tangible outcomes, “The Journey” empowers anyone, from business leaders to professionals starting their careers, to unlock their full potential and embrace a future of success.
STRATEGY
How is the transformation aligned to corporate, BU and functional objectives? Are the right metrics in place? Are they being communicated from the top-down?
Are there a digital component in KPIs across the organization current goals?
Is the leadership team talking about digital in different forums? Are their actions aligned to their words?
Do you know what problem you are trying to solve? Is there a clear understanding by others that this is the right problem?
Is there a roadmap with clear milestones and deliverables? Are teams and leaders accountable for results?
Is the organization focused on value delivery or in work execution?
PROCESS
Which changes can have the greatest impact across functions and processes? Can those changes be done incrementally?
Is a future op model, with digital elements incorporated, well designed and understood? Is it actionable?
Are processes, tech and people aligned to deliver value?
Are planning processes in place to support transformation and BAU elements?
TALENT
Is the culture for continuous improvement and transformation in place? How do you build it?
Who are the key influencers in your organization? Are they supportive or against the transformation? How can you win them over?
Who are your key allies that will lead change? Have champions been identified?
Does the org. prefer talent development, acquisition or outsourcing?
How can you bring people / HR functions to the transformation?
TECHNOLOGY
Is there foundational tech debt that needs to be addressed first?
How does the transformation fit into the overall tech modernization?
Is scalability and flexibility included in the technology to adapt to the ever-changing digital environment?
Are capabilities such as automation, self-service, analytics, ML/AI, etc. part of the technology vision? Is there a clear roadmap to evolve and adopt the mature stage elements?
Leadership Buy-In With Clear Roadmaps Is Key
Value Pace Over Perfection - Focus on Value Creation
Growing Talent & a Transformative Culture Are Essential
Focus on Agility and Customer Centricity