Avoid common pitfalls in digital transformation with insights on strategy, user experience, and data governance.
Digital transformation focuses on harnessing digital technologies and integrating them into all areas of business. Digital transformation is concerned with the different changes that digital technologies can bring about in a company’s business model, product/services to customers, and the structure of the organisation itself.
It is the role of a digital transformation professional to ensure that the transformation is as seamless as possible, and that any risks are prepared for and mitigated. Of course, human error can lead to mistakes, which is why we’ve rounded up these common mistakes in digital transformation to be aware of.
Common mistakes in digital transformations
Lack of clear strategy and vision
A clear strategy and vision are both crucial elements of digital transformation, as they provide the ‘why’ to any decisions being made along the way. Strategy and vision help teams prioritise resources and minimise risk among lots of moving parts and individual agendas. Additionally, a well-defined and clearly communicated strategy and vision ensures key stakeholder buy-in, increasing the likelihood of a successful end product.
Resistance to change and organisational culture
Key stakeholder or employee resistance to change and organisational culture is a blocker for digital transformation professionals. This sort of resistance can hinder new technologies being used or new processes being followed, leading to delays or breakdowns in communications.
However, this sort of resistance is common, especially when existing employees are comfortable with existing technologies and ways of working. It would be a mistake to undermine these concerns, and instead, digital transformation professionals can avoid these issues by enabling a culture of continuous learning, engaging employees early in the process, clearly communicating the benefits of any changes and offering support via training.
Overlooking user experience and customer-centric design
Overlooking user experience and customer-centric design in digital transformation is a critical, yet common mistake, as it can lead to digital solutions that are difficult to use, and can drive customers away. Listening to employee and customer feedback, as well as monitoring the new technology adoption is vital for success.
Insufficient data governance and cyber security
Inadequate attention to data governance and cyber security issues are common mistakes in digital transformation, but can leave organisations vulnerable to data breaches, compliance issues and loss in customer trust. Ensuring that businesses have robust cyber security set up is the only way to make sure that these issues do not become a larger problem for businesses.
Short-term thinking and lack of agility
It is extremely easy and therefore common to prioritse short-term goals when undergoing a digital transformation, which can lead to wider issues. For example, prioritising quick fixes and short-term cost savings, over long-term strategic investments in infrastructure and talent development could lead to business debt or scalability limitations. Making data-backed decisions and remaining agile is the way to guarantee success.
A successful digital transformation specialist would be well-versed in the above issues, and have solutions prepared for if the worst should happen.
How an MSc Digital Transformation can help you avoid common mistakes
Alongside transferrable skills and an in-depth knowledge of digital transformation, our MSc in Digital Transformation will give you the know-how to help your organisation minimise its exposure to costly mistakes and safeguard its resilience.
Whether it’s a global pandemic or a cyber-attack, you will develop the data analysis skills you need to address the digital challenges your organisation has to be ready for.
If you think our MSc in Digital Transformation could be for you, discover the entry requirements needed, skills you’ll develop, modules you’ll study and the exciting career prospects for graduates:
