Digital transformation is – even when it involves using the most modern technology – first and foremost a managerial task. No one should blindly follow technological trends simply because everyone is talking about them.
So how can you master this process of digital transformation? The best way is just to take one step at a time. To do this you need the right tools. These are know-how in project management, knowledge management, change management and risk management. You also need good methods that work well, such as e.g. the SWOT analysis. This isn’t new, but it is useful. By the way, this doesn’t just apply to your process of digital transformation, but to all challenges that you come across in your daily business.
If you systematically follow our step-by-step instructions you will end up with a planning list at the end to tell you what you should do next. You will have dealt in detail with the opportunities and risks of digital transformation for your company and will be able to start the implementation – so that your company will still be a successful operator in the market in five or ten years’ time.
Good to know: the step-by-step approach recommended here is based on
a detailed process model that we have developed together with the
LUISS University in Rome.
You can find out more about the process model here.
Digital transformation is – even when it involves using the most modern technology – first and foremost a managerial task. No one should blindly follow technological trends simply because everyone is talking about them.
So how can you master this process of digital transformation? The best way is just to take one step at a time. To do this you need the right tools. These are know-how in project management, knowledge management, change management and risk management. You also need good methods that work well, such as e.g. the SWOT analysis. This isn’t new, but it is useful. By the way, this doesn’t just apply to your process of digital transformation, but to all challenges that you come across in your daily business.
If you systematically follow our step-by-step instructions you will end up with a planning list at the end to tell you what you should do next. You will have dealt in detail with the opportunities and risks of digital transformation for your company and will be able to start the implementation – so that your company will still be a successful operator in the market in five or ten years’ time.
Good to know: the step-by-step approach recommended here is based on
a detailed process model that we have developed together with the
LUISS University in Rome.
You can find out more about the process model here.
Step-by-Step
Process Instructions
Step 1: Project start
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Define project leader and team members |
2 days |
|
Make the project known within your company |
|
|
Decide how to report on project progress within your organisation |
|
Get to know the change protocol worksheet |
Required Learning Modules:
Knowledge of these four management areas is required in all project phases.
Work Material:
* The times specified for each step may vary depending on the data available. The next step can already be started before the current one has been entirely completed, meaning that the times sometimes overlap.
Step 2: Analyse the external influences on your business
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Get to know the “PESTLE-Analysis” tool |
1 day |
|
Teamwork: Analyse the external influences on your business with PESTLE |
|
|
Use the worksheets and note down in the change protocol any ideas that are already emerging about what to change |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
Step 3: Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your organisation
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Get to know the “GAP-Analysis” tool |
1 day |
|
Teamwork: Analyse your strengths and weaknesses with GAP-Analysis |
|
|
Use the worksheets and note down in the change protocol any ideas that are already emerging about what to change |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
Step 4: Describe your current business model
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Get to know the “CANVAS Business Model” tool |
1 day |
|
Teamwork: Describe your current business model with CANVAS |
|
|
Use the examples and the chart and note down any ideas that emerge in the change protocol |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
* The times specified for each step may vary depending on the data available. The next step can already be started before the current one has been entirely completed, meaning that the times sometimes overlap.
Step 5: Collect facts and suggestions
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Learn the success factors for digital business models |
1 day |
|
Look at pioneers in your own market and review their success factors |
|
|
Watch your competitors and analyse the market, involving your colleagues and employees in this process |
|
|
Analyse the needs and purchasing decisions of your customers and the reasons why interested people do not become your customers |
|
|
Note down any ideas that emerge in the change protocol |
Work Material:
Step 6: Get to know the “driving forces” behind digital transformation and check how applicable they are to your business
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Get to know the 10 digital technologies |
2 days |
|
Teamwork: Discuss your understanding of the 10 digital technologies |
|
|
Teamwork: Decide which of the new digital technologies could be applicable to your business and how they could be used |
|
|
Note down any ideas that emerge in the change protocol |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
Step 7: Develop your new business strategy
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Teamwork: Adapt your business strategy or develop a new one with the SWOT-Analysis |
1 day |
|
Use the ideas from the change protocol and note down any new ideas |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
Step 8: Develop and describe your new business model
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Teamwork: Adapt your business model or develop a new one with the results from your SWOT-Analysis and the ideas from the change protocol |
1 day |
|
Describe the new business model with CANVAS |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
* The times specified for each step may vary depending on the data available. The next step can already be started before the current one has been entirely completed, meaning that the times sometimes overlap.
Step 9: Sort and prioritise the planned activities
| To do |
Required time (recommended)*
|
| Teamwork: | |
|
Define criteria for the process of prioritisation |
2 days
|
|
Assess the urgency of the planned activities |
|
|
Assess the consequences of the planned activities |
|
|
Check available resources (personnel and financial) |
|
|
Assess the priorities |
Required Learning Modules:
Work Material:
Step 10: Start, execute and review implementation
| To do |
Required time (recommended)* |
|
Determine who will be the digitalisation agent and who they will work with. Communicate this decision to your organisation |
depending on project requirements |
|
Decide how to report on the progress of implementation within your organisation |
|
|
Review whether the planned milestones have been achieved and whether this is in accordance with the budgets |
|
|
If the planned activities have to be changed, take into account the ideas in the change protocol |
|
|
Compare the achieved results with your targets and decide if and when to start a new project cycle from step 1 |
Required Learning Modules:
Knowledge of these four areas of management and their application is vital for the success of your process of digital transformation.
Knowledge of these four areas of management and their application is vital for the success of your process of digital transformation.
Work Material:
* The times specified for each step may vary depending on the data available. The next step can already be started before the current one has been entirely completed, meaning that the times sometimes overlap.
Don’t wait any longer!
Start now and continue the analysis and planning process in your day-to-day work at your own pace.
