Essential Questions: A Must for Every CIO on the Path to Digital Transformation

2023-09-27 13:01:47

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10 Digital Transformation Questions Every CIO Must Answer

The idea, according to industry expert Rogers, is to have a dedicated team focused on solving persistent challenges within the enterprise. For example, a retailer would benefit from a team devoted to order fulfillment, continuously improving processes to meet customer expectations and outperform competitors. This team would work on various solutions, such as new processes, training, robotics, etc., with the ultimate goal of achieving business outcomes rather than just delivering IT functionalities.

4. Engaging People on the Front Lines

Rogers emphasizes the importance of involving front-line employees in formulating digital transformation plans. While C-suite support is crucial, the perspectives of lower-tier employees who interact with customers daily are invaluable in identifying areas for change and driving true business impact. Transformation should not only be led by top-level leadership but also be guided by ideas from business units, customer-facing teams, and HR.

5. Identifying and Using the Right Business Metrics

Traditional IT metrics no longer suffice when measuring the success of tech-driven initiatives, states Venu Lambu, CEO of Randstad Digital. Instead, CIOs should focus on metrics tied to specific business outcomes, such as faster time to market, improved customer engagement, and increased customer retention. Raj Iyer, global head of public sector at ServiceNow, adds that digital transformation is about measuring value and aligning with what matters to the business.

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6. Having a DX Budget and Completion Timeline

Having a separate budget and completion timeline solely for digital transformation indicates a problem. Experts stress that transformation should be ingrained in all aspects of an organization's operations and strategy. Established companies can successfully lead in digital transformation by having a clear vision, prioritizing challenges, and validating ventures over time. DX shouldn't be treated as a standalone project with its own budget, but rather a continuous effort.

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7. Ensuring Companywide Transformation

CIOs should evaluate whether transformation efforts extend across the entire organization or are limited to certain areas. Failing to implement transformation uniformly can result in operational dysfunction and functional silos. Atif Zaim, a principal at KPMG US, advises CIOs to take a holistic approach, engaging teams from different business units, promoting new ideas, providing funding, and enhancing digital acumen among non-IT leaders.

8. Talent Readiness and Making the Right Moves

CIOs should consider if they are hiring individuals with the mindset and background necessary to drive change. Technical skills alone do not guarantee the ability to deliver impact. Collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and comfort with ambiguity are equally important qualities. Upskilling is an ongoing requirement, as the skills needed for successful DX initiatives constantly evolve.

9. Timeframe for Success

Understanding the timeframe and objectives of a digital transformation initiative is crucial for CIOs. It's important to propose realistic timelines and objectives based on organizational context. Providing options to executive sponsors and stakeholders allows for meaningful decision-making.

10. Identifying Roadblocks to DX

Identifying obstacles to digital transformation is a critical question. Outdated policies, functional silos, and resistance to change can impede progress. Policies should enable agility rather than restrict it. Overcoming such challenges involves mentoring and providing stakeholders with the necessary information to align with the company's strategic goals.

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