Change is never easy, especially in today’s world of rising costs and workforce depletion. Implementing a digital transformation in these circumstances can seem futile, but it’s not impossible. When a digital transformation was urged in the past, it was usually an “all or nothing” approach. Not only is that hard to do from a cost standpoint, but it can also upset operations so much that productivity and profits drop dramatically. Instead, we suggest using iteration (a step-by-step approach) to implement your digital transformation.
Start With Data
The first thing to do is gather data. Maybe you already have this, so you’re ahead of the game. If you don’t, though, it’s best to start gathering it so you can identify the baseline of your processes. Relying on manual data gathering can be a long and tedious process. This is where implementing a digital transformation can help right away. By setting up automated means of collecting data at key locations, you can gather the data faster and have a system already set up to further innovate later.
Think Modular
Once you have the data, it’s time to analyze it and choose areas where a digital transformation can improve your processes. Again, a step-by-step or modular approach is your best bet. In other words, choose one area where your digital transformation will have the most improvement and launch it. Then use the automated data gathering you implemented before to track the impact. Is it performing like expected? Are there tweaks you can make that would improve the process even more? If so, now is the time to make those changes. Once you’re satisfied with that innovation, you can move on to the next.
Get Employee Buy-in
You want your digital transformations to develop smoothly. Unfortunately, they are often accompanied by employee pushback. They can be seen as a threat to an existing position, or even as a way for companies to “spy on them”. In most cases, these are just not true. In fact, implementing digital solutions can expand operations, creating even more jobs and easing the work that a current employee is responsible for. It’s here that the modular or iteration approach can be most beneficial. Implementing the transformation in one small area that will provide a “quick win” can be the most effective way to get employee buy-in, and make your overall digital transformation happen more efficiently.
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