Team Collaboration Ensures Digital Transformation Success

In assessing the enterprise landscape and planning for a digital transformation (Dx) transition project, every organization will certainly focus on technology and infrastructure. Technology is, after all, inherent in the very nature of a Dx discussion. Infuture Institute recently published a study that describes the critical factors in a digital transformation (Dx), and one of the most provocative insights states that, "What we need is…the change of attitude in the approach to digital transformation — from a technological approach to the humanistic approach (human over technology, not technology over human), i.e., focus on the employees within the organization and the needs and expectations of customers and consumers."

Business managers might disagree with that conclusion, believing that if we plan appropriately for technology changes and upgrades, we will logically support the needs of the team and customers and stakeholders. But that belief is flawed. The very technology and infrastructure you are planning will be used and leveraged by people (business users, customers, suppliers, and so on). People use technology to achieve goals, monitor results, process requests, collaborate and more. 

In fact, one of the primary reasons for failure in digital transformation (Dx) projects is the absence of input from employees and other users during the planning process. 

As a CEO and manager, perhaps the most important aspect of your job is human interaction. By including input from your team members, you ensure that your digital transformation (Dx) project is likely to succeed. 

Workflow and Process Issues

The team members and business users who leverage technology and follow business processes to get the job done are the people who best know the flaws and issues in the existing systems and where there are delays and roadblocks. By involving your team members in gathering feedback and suggestions, your IT team and project managers can anticipate problems upfront and address issues that are the most important to users. 

Buy-In from Team Members

Whether you are implementing a digital transformation initiative or planning for a team luncheon, involving your team members is always a good plan. You are much more likely to get buy-in if your team has input. Even if you do not accept and implement every one of their ideas, by asking the question, you are illustrating your commitment to collaboration and a team approach. Be sure to explain why and how you made your decisions so that team members do not feel you have ignored their input. If you have good rationale for making that decision, most of your team is likely to understand. Those that don’t may be frustrated, but you are still likely to achieve buy-in from the majority of your users. 

Aligning Dx Projects With Existing Goals and Objectives

Asking questions and reviewing plans with your team will help you to understand where your plan might need to adapt to ensure that the team can still fulfill their roles and responsibilities and support their objectives and goals. A technology change that throws a wrench in the works may require you to make substantive changes to the culture or organization or to business processes after the fact and that can delay results or mitigate success. Users and team members who are responsible for achieving these goals will be alert to any technology or process changes that will impede their ability to do the work. 

These are just a few of the reasons you should focus on feedback from your team members and business users during the planning process for a digital transformation (Dx) project. In reviewing corporate and organizational change processes, you will always find collaboration and team feedback at the heart of any successful project. Organizations that function as a team are more agile and flexible and can more readily adapt to change.