There are six stages of every digital transformation that can help your business stay on track for successful implementation.
In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, business evolution is a necessity for growth and sustainability. While many companies are quick to accept this understanding, it can still be difficult to effectively plan and execute these changes successfully.
Thankfully, a series of blueprints have been developed for organizations to follow when modernizing their business processes. Here are the six stages of any digital transformation as identified by Brian Solis, Principal Analyst at Altimeter, and how to identify your company’s progression towards a better DCX (Digital Customer Experience).
Stage 1: “Business as usual”
The first stage of transformation has no real action associated with it and represents a “business as usual” mindset. In this phase, company leadership still rebuffs change and businesses are still reactive when considering the need for improvement. While some companies adopt more modern technologies at this stage, most improvements to processes are superficial.
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Stage 2: Present and active
As companies begin adopting more digital solutions for a larger goal, they enter the present and active stage of transformation. Although still inconsistent, there is now larger importance on compiling and reviewing customer needs while expanding social awareness of the company. Very early planning stages may also start to be discussed with the goal of improving and simplifying business processes and customer touchpoints.
Stage 3: Formalized
The third stage is typically where companies spend most of their time and where the first key actions are taken to begin a digital transformation. In this phase, more formal and intentional levels of experimentation are introduced. This stage is also where tension within the organization may arise as new disruption and begin to challenge company culture. More substantial decisions are made regarding any necessary future change that can inevitably impact the company on several levels.
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Stage 4: Strategic
The Strategic phase of transformation is where the initial roadblocks of larger-scale changes have been addressed, and executive buy-ins have opened the door for company-wide implementation. In this stage, most of the company has fully adopted the importance and significance of digital transformation and is working to actively support future changes. At this point, more significant investments in new business technology are being made with the goal of sustaining new company initiatives.
Stage 5: Converged
At the fifth stage of digital transformation, businesses have successfully connected the dots between digital transformation concepts and the beginning stages of implementation. When in the Converged phase, target teams have been developed to assist the company when deploying new initiatives and strategic planning. With the value of all technical changes being accepted, any cultural roadblocks are officially removed, and the company is on its way for a successful transformation.
Stage 6: Innovative and adaptive
The Innovative and adaptive stage represents the sixth and final stage of a company’s digital transformation journey. At this stage, a business has seen a complete overhaul of its processes to support better growth and sustainability. The company culture has been redefined to incorporate new changes, and a digital course is now a way of life for the organization. Moving forward, the business will continue to adapt its systems and processes to support the needs of its customers over time.
Digital transformations are key to ensuring that your company can adequately service a modern and more sophisticated customer base. By recognizing each stage in the digital transformation process, you’ll be better equipped to ensure that your company’s progression towards a more sustainable future.
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