Embrace change
The next decade will see a surge in technological progress, which could increase global GDP by $7 trillion. As a result, this will require businesses to be agile and embrace digital transformation. To gain strong support from senior leadership, organisations require a compelling business case.
1. Establish the practicality of the change journey
Before considering the change strategy, the viability of the transformation project must first be evaluated. This means ensuring that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills before investing in new tools or systems, and considering if the new change of solution will bring the required impact. By not establishing the practicality of the change journey, businesses can risk their time and resources.
2. Communication is essential for building a business case
The development of a strong business case relies on intelligence gathering, early communication and workforce engagement. Listening to the experiences of both employees and customers can help identify areas for improvement and build a picture for change with the workforce in mind.
It is important to ensure that the digital solutions meet the organisation’s needs and realistic timescales are expectations. This will help create an accurate case that reflects the challenges that need to be addressed.
3. Outweigh the benefits and the costs
A comprehensive business case should include a benefits realisation plan that outlines the value of investing in digital transformation across various areas, accounting for both short-term and long-term benefits to facilitate change and growth. The transformational strategy will need to demonstrate how these technologies will align with the overall business and outweigh the costs.
4. Consider building an advocacy cohort
Conducting staff surveys, direct engagement, and customer feedback forums can help establish where the organisation currently stands. Similarly, they will highlight where digital investments can be tailored for the greatest impact.
It is important to consider building an advocacy cohort, where a member or members of the executive team support the case in senior leadership meetings and are responsible for framing the language of the business case in a way that senior leaders can digest the information.
5. Earmark a budget for contingency and trials
Businesses should allocate a portion of their budget for contingency and trialling new solutions. In doing so, they will remain flexible and able to adapt to any unforeseen challenges. Also, experimenting with different technologies will help them determine the most effective solution that will bring the maximum benefits to their organisation.
Digital transformation is a crucial process that requires a great deal of planning and a strong business case. By aligning technology investments with the overall strategy and creating a well-defined benefits realisation plan, organisations can reap the many advantages that digital transformation can offer.