By: Ashima Sharma
As an IT project manager, director, or PMO leader with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen countless trends emerge and fade. Much like fashion, what’s hot today might be passé tomorrow. In the IT world, everyone gravitates towards the latest cool thing. So, let’s talk about digital transformation. Is it just another buzzword, or is it an essential strategy for businesses aiming to stay competitive in the next 10-20 years?
The Staying Power of Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is not just a fleeting trend. It’s a critical shift that businesses must embrace to remain viable and thrive. Companies that fail to adapt to digital advancements risk becoming obsolete, as evidenced by Netflix’s disruption of Blockbuster, Uber’s overhaul of traditional taxi services, and Amazon’s domination over brick-and-mortar stores. Keeping a close watch on where digital transformation is heading is not just advisable—it’s imperative for all businesses.
The Digital Customer Interaction
Consider how your customers interact with your business today. Is it entirely digital? Could it be? Should it be? The reality is that there are opportunities for digital transformation in every industry and every company. If you’re not thinking about it, rest assured that your competitors are. Staying ahead means exploring new digital avenues for engagement, managing online reviews, and understanding industry trends to shape your future strategies.
Who Should Monitor Digital Trends?
This brings up an important question: who in the organization should be responsible for keeping an eye on digital trends? Should it be the IT department? But isn’t IT often outsourced or managed by vendors in many organizations? If not IT, then should it be Operations? How can Operations shift from day-to-day problem-solving to strategic, forward-thinking initiatives?
The Role of the Strategy Office
In my opinion, the answer lies in establishing a dedicated Strategy Office. This office should be dynamic enough to grasp and implement technical trends, deeply knowledgeable about the business to tailor solutions, and in tune with daily operations to anticipate future customer needs—even those not yet expressed in Voice of the Customer (VoC) surveys.
How Project Managers Can Lead
So, how can project managers contribute? In a significant way! Projects reflect what’s working and what’s not within an organization. Project managers are uniquely positioned to identify opportunities for digital transformation, initiate conversations about new digital strategies, and stay current with tech trends in their industry. They can act as change leaders and strategic voices, advocating for the digital evolution needed for future success.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, digital strategy is not just a trendy topic—it’s a necessity for every organization. However, the focus shouldn’t be on hyped-up, superficial transformation projects. Instead, businesses need a deep understanding of where true value lies. Efforts should be focused, agile, and aimed at making significant progress in the digital space to lead in the future.
Digital transformation is here to stay. Embrace it thoughtfully and strategically to ensure your business not only survives but thrives in the digital age.