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2021-05-24

Are you digitally ready? Follow our checklist!

2021-05-24
Making a digital transformation can be a massive project - and it is a project we love working with. To get you started on your digital journey we have created a easy-to-use model with steps to guide you. Redpill Linpro know what you need to think about before, during, and after starting a digital transformation in your company.

Digital transformations have changed the way we consume and use services. The transformation was led by early adopters and frontrunners like Air BnB, Uber, Google, and Facebook. A digital innovation program is no longer just relevant for a few; it is a natural progression for organizations and companies of all sizes. A digital transformation opens the door to new opportunities. 

Fredrik Svensson, Chief Business Development Officer, and Benneth Christiansson, Solutions Architect are the experts behind the Digital Ready Model. They describe it as a four-step model, straight and easy to follow. 

– It is actually quite common to start a digital transformation but then get stuck, and being left with a feeling of not reaching the finish line. That is why one of the most important parts of starting a digital transformation is to set goals. Acceptable goals that are possible to measure, says Fredrik Svensson. 

A digital transformation drives improvement, progress, and change. It is a continuous process that leads the company or organization forward, prevents stagnation, and requires a long-term perspective. 

Based on our expertise as well as experience from working with several companies in their digital transformation, we have developed a model to guide you. It has five main points:

  • Vision
  • Change driver
  • Digital capability
  • Business change
  • Management backing 

You can read even more about each step in separate blog posts, listen to episode 20 of our podcast It Talks or even download the entire model.

Here we go; Are you digitally ready?

1. Vision

The vision is a definition of the goal of the overall digital innovation program The vision needs to be closely linked to the strategy and long-term goals of the entire company. Why are we doing this transformation? Will it help us reach our vision? Are we moving in the right direction? 

The vision, reason, and case for change need to be clear and understandable. It will make it easier to measure. 

To have a chance of succeeding, the goal of the digital transformation must be well established with the management. The management should have insight into and support the transformation process. Otherwise, it will be tough to finalize the process. 

Historically, most companies have a manual core business. The IT department has been a support system. Now, the tables have turned. Today it might very well be the IT department that needs to be the core in order to move the company forward. 

2. Change driver

The digital initiative is a transformation, and it is crucial to find the right person to lead the change. Such a Change Leader is preferably a person with experience of a digitization process and has made the journey before. But it is not a must, and that kind of person can be hard to find. It is more important that it is a person with a passion and the mandate to drive the initiative. It could be a person from outside or inside the company. This person will keep the energy and engagement in the project but will also need to make priorities and hard decisions. The key to success is that the Change Leader has clear and solid management backing.

It is essential to communicate why you are doing this transformation. You can use Proof of Concepts to show good examples of how the digital initiative can be used and implemented. It could be extra useful in bigger organizations where a digital transformation takes a long time to execute on all levels. 

3. Digital capability

What resources and tools are needed for the digital transformation in your organization? Maybe they already are implemented but need to be used in another way? Make sure you have the capability that is required. 

To keep pace in a digital transformation, you need the organization to be able to create innovations. A digital transformation is a process – a new way of working – and the different departments need to have the possibility and right conditions to adapt. 

4. Business change

The digital transformation will likely bring new digital capabilities to the company, but you might have to make organizational changes. Be open to that possibility.

Spread the competence. Show the whole organization how to make use of the digital transformation. Make the changes that are needed for the departments to be able to create transformation and innovation themselves. It could, for instance, be freeing capacity by letting the systems make simple decisions based on collected data. 

A digital transformation includes change. It means that the way you organize or perform the work or how you finance or drive your business might need to be modified. 

Changes can lead to new tools and new markets. Measure the result and use the new capacity of your company!

5. Management backing

The key to success is solid management backing. The management does not need to lead the transformation, but they need to be involved and support the changes. It is part of every step of the way and an essential part of the Digital Ready Model. 

– We haveve received great feedback on this model. We try not to make it tricky or complex, and you do not have to deal with a lot of templates or documents. We keep it simple and understandable, says Fredrik Svensson in IT Talks. 

You can read more elaborate descriptions of each step of the Digital Ready Model, written by Fredrik Svensson. Learn more about Vision, Change driver, Digital capability, Business change, and Management backing - and start your digital transformation. 

Written by Susannah Eriksson