Evaluating how digitally savvy your organization is can be a real head-scratcher. And if that’s not enough, coming up with a fancy framework to figure it out is like trying to teach a cat to tap dance. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but plenty of experts out there have their own secret sauces for assessing your digital maturity. They’ll even give you a pat on the back (and a hefty bill) for it!
But worry not, my friend. I won’t bore you with a full-blown digital transformation manifesto here. Instead, let’s take a light-hearted journey through three stages to see where your organization might land.
Stage 1 – IT as a Cost Center:
Ah, the good old days when IT was just an obligatory check on the expense list. It’s like having a gym membership you never use. Signs that you might be stuck here include:
Your company’s website is collecting digital cobwebs and hasn’t seen a (re)fresh coat of virtual paint in ages.
Most of your applications are loners, doing their own thing without talking to anyone else.
You might have an ERP system, but it’s like a partially completed jigsaw puzzle that never quite fits.
IT security? Well, it’s more like “IT, security? Did you mean the antivirus which we got free with subscription?”
Your business transactions? Oh, they’re like that big tangled mess of cables in your drawer – no one knows what’s happening.
If you find yourself here, it’s time for an upgrade, and not just in the IT department. Change management, my friend, is the name of the game. But hey, there are exceptions where you can still get away (at least for time being)– like being the coolest kid in a not-so-cool neighbourhood (sector itself lags behind) or having a business model so secure it’s like Fort Knox (You have captive customers).
Stage 2 – IT as an Enabler:
Welcome to the “IT is kinda cool” stage. It’s no longer just a cost centre; it’s the sidekick to your business’s superhero. It creates value, but it’s like the quiet hero who never seeks the spotlight. Signs you’re in this stage:
Your website gets more facelifts than a Hollywood star.
Applications do talk to each other, like a digital cocktail party.
ERP is not just a mystery acronym; it’s something that works.
IT security is a thing, and you might even have some fancy vendor handling it.
Business transactions are happening in the digital world and they all are recorded – finally !
But hold on, decisions are still made without data, with IT playing the trusty sidekick. Reports are as lively as a library in a power outage. AI/ML is still questioned for its value by some of your top brass who never felt a need to dig deep into this technology. Digital transformation? Sure, it’s on the radar, but it’s like deciding to splurge on a yacht for your next vacation – a great idea, but lets have consensus first!
Stage 3 – IT as a Revenue Generator:
Here, my friend, IT is the rockstar, and the benefits are as clear as day. Competitors are left in the digital dust. Signs you’ve arrived:
Your website is so happening it’s almost alive, and it’s cozy with your partners – vendors, customers, dealers, distributors, you name it.
Standalone applications are mostly about AI/Analytics/process automation – they’re like digital minions, working to maximize profits (e.g. lead classification) and minimize costs (e.g. Inventory management, Vendor rating, predictive maintenance), Automating the process (e.g. Smart factory) and most are integrated to your centralized ERP system.
ERP rules the roost, and it’s more about dynamic reports and real-time analytics, or even predictive capability Data is king. Transaction recording is at best a hygiene factor.
IT security is robust, like a fortress guarded by both knights and laser beams. Focus is more on risk assessment and minimizing it when the hackers manage to get an entry.
Analytics is the name of the game, with live reporting and alerts available 24/7.
IT is your cash cow, and competitors are left eating your digital dust. Decision-making? It’s human but Data-driven , Now your AI algorithm plays a big role in deciding which vendor to order, Which lead to move ahead with and analytics tells you which machine is consuming abnormal energy with your 15+ years experienced manager more as a sidekick. The role of data in your overall decision making process and the ease with which it’s available decides your IT maturity. This is the single most important factor which determines where you belong in the world of digital transformation.
No matter where you find yourself on this digital journey, here’s your roadmap:
Get that digital maturity assessment done – it’s like taking your organization’s digital temperature.
Plan your digital transformation journey. Think process changes, new applications, key metrics, and a superhero team of digital experts.
Don’t forget change management – it’s the secret sauce to make all this work.
Start your digital transformation adventure – it’s the ride of a lifetime!
So, what’s your organization’s digital vibe? Time to find out and make sure you’re not stuck in the digital Stone Age while others zoom into the future!