How can you improve your organization's digital maturity?

As part of analyzing the current state of technology, we must also consider the comfort level of employees and leadership. If leaders do not hold their employees accountable to data-driven metrics, next-generation technology investments will not gain adoption. A sober assessment of how the outputs of the technology will impact individual contributors is a needed element of the current state.

Be the early champion of digital migration. Most people are comfortable with traditional methods. They won't even think about innovation and advancement unless you guide them.

This is the essential first step: Recognize that true digital maturity isn't just about tools—it's mindset and culture. Before diving into frameworks, reflect internally. Ask: "How do our employees respond to digital change? Are our strategies future-flexible?" It is extremely important to assess human readiness, not just technological capability.

From my experience, Improving an organization's digital maturity is an ongoing process. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach will vary depending on specific needs and goals. By following these tips, we have a chance to succeed: 1). Assess your current state, Set clear goals, and Ensure key Shareholders' Support during the full cycle! 2). Be patient. Digital transformation takes time. Don't expect to see results overnight. 3). Be flexible. The digital landscape is constantly changing. Be prepared to adapt your plans as needed. 4). Be collaborative. Digital transformation is not something that can be done by one person or team. It requires the participation of everyone in the organization. 5). and plan and be agile ...

Democratisation of healthcare , which is my domain and many such fields across the world are dependent on adoption of efficient digital platforms and softwares But we also need to understand ones own organisations standing in this digital evolution . All companies find themselves at different ladder steps on their path to digital adoption Once this is clear it only then needs digital champions to be the enablers in this fascinating journey

As your organization begins its digital transformation journey, a crucial consideration is determining the desired level of digital maturity. This definition varies across industries, organizations, and processes, as some strive for complete digital integration while others prioritize partial workflow digitization. Before initiating their digital maturity journey, enterprises should define their own understanding of digital maturity, outline their objectives for digital transformation initiatives, and establish the metrics tailored to each stage of the journey. Always keep it simple to understand and align with future goals.

In this step, remember simplicity is power. Define a vision that everyone can rally behind. Ask, "If we succeed, how does tomorrow look for us?" That picture should be vivid yet concise. Your strategy is the bridge to that future—build it collaboratively, ensuring each step resonates with core organizational values.

Elevating an organization's digital maturity begins with a well-defined vision and strategy for digital transformation. I believe that this strategy, deeply anchored in the organization's core values and mission, provides a clear roadmap for digital endeavors. Ensuring this vision is effectively communicated and receptive to feedback is paramount to its successful execution.

This is too important to be undermined: Digital tools change, but your people remain at the core. Equip them not just with skills but with belief in the digital vision. Cultivate an environment where every voice feels empowered to contribute. Real transformation is as much about people as it is about technology.

Capability building and upskilling the employees on digital is the most critical part of reaching an advanced digital maturity as an organization among all other enablers of digital maturity such as data, process, technology, resources... etc.

Seek to understand the resistances towards digital transformation. There may be valid reasons on why certain groups are having doubts on digital adoption and maturity as whole. Allowing the organization (all levels) to provide feedback and iterate from there is key to a successful digital transformation roadmap.

The heart of digital maturity lies in empowering your people and fostering the right organizational culture. I believe that by investing in continuous learning, encouraging a culture of experimentation, and valuing collaboration, we create an environment where digital transformation can thrive. Embracing change and challenging the status quo are essential steps in this journey.

While it may seem like an obvious answer, be careful you don't adopt a mindset that training will automatically improve the maturity of your organization. That's not to say you shouldn't develop your people; you absolutely should, but people often jump to this as the "go-to." As the article highlights, culture also plays a huge role. Make sure you're building a culture that is focused on desired outcomes but encourages and celebrates people experimenting and exploring different ways to get there. This means having a high tolerance for failure, not just accepting it but expecting it. To be clear, that doesn't mean you're trying to fail, but failure is a big part of growth, so build a culture where failure is a valued learning experience.

Data is your compass, technology your vehicle. But, without strategic intent, even the best tools falter. Use your data to spot trends; employ technology to act agile and pivot with ease.

Strategically speaking, companies (more importantly, startups) should invest the appropriate amount of time and resources to developing the basic framework for digital transformation. Organize and organize well. Invest in the right mix of free and paid tools and you'll be amazed at the efficiency that well organised data can achieve.

The GIGO principle underpins all digital technology: “Garbage In, Garbage Out”. The quality of the business results we can achieve with digital technology, such as AI, is only ever as good as the quality of the underlying data. The trouble is that improving data quality is among the most boring, tedious and time-consuming tasks in digital transformation. Projects tend to focus too much on snazzy dashboards that display the latest business “insights”. Once the dashboards are designed and deployed, the “transformation” consultants disappear and leave their clients with poorly functioning systems. To break that wasteful cycle, the speed of data quality improvement must always match the speed of digital transformation.

The next step involves leveraging data and technology to create value, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. This includes using data and analytics to make informed decisions, streamline processes, and tailor offerings to individual needs. Adopting technologies such as cloud, mobile, social, and artificial intelligence can drive innovation, scalability, and flexibility. It's also crucial to ensure that data and technology remain secure, compliant with regulations, and interoperable across systems. Having the right infrastructure, architecture, and platforms in place is key to supporting ongoing digital transformation efforts.

In this step, recognize that digital landscapes shift rapidly. The agility to pivot when needed is paramount. It's less about the pursuit of perfection and more about resilience and responsiveness. Regularly evaluate, recalibrate, and evolve, ensuring your digital journey remains on a purposeful path.

Successful digital transformation involves monitoring and adapting based on the “right” key indicators. The vast majority of digital investments today fall short in demonstrating a clear economic impact and tangible business outcomes. The first step is to determine and track KPIs on both sides: the utilization of digital skills and resources and the creation of enterprise value. The second step is connecting the dots between those desired business outcomes and the solution enablers. That framework, referred to as a “Value Map,” will help you establish your digital maturity baseline and continually improve toward your vision.

Monitoring is not merely about tracking metrics and KPIs. It's about comprehending the broader environment, including market trends, customer behaviors, competitive landscape, and internal dynamics. This holistic understanding allows for more informed and strategic decisions. Adaptation goes beyond mere adjustments. It's a core competence that enables organizations and individuals to pivot, innovate, and evolve in alignment with emerging opportunities and challenges. "Monitor and Adapt" fosters a culture of continuous learning. It encourages reflection, analysis, and learning from success and failure, transforming insights into actionable improvements.

In my experience, setting clear metrics for progress and performance, and regularly collecting stakeholder feedback, are essential. Equally important is staying attuned to emerging trends and adjusting strategies accordingly. Celebrating successes and learning from failures cultivates a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. This approach not only ensures adaptability in a dynamic digital environment but also fosters ongoing growth and evolution in digital maturity.

I believe accelerating digital transformation often requires collaboration with the right partners. Identifying organisations that complement your strengths or help bridge gaps can significantly expand your reach. This could mean working with suppliers, customers, competitors, startups, and academic institutions. By co-creating value and sharing best practices, you enhance your capabilities and gain insights that might not have surfaced internally. Leveraging wider ecosystems and networks can further strengthen your offerings, opening up new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Collaboration and partnership are more than strategic alliances; they are reflections of shared visions, values, and missions. In a world where connection and innovation drive success, collaborating and partnering effectively becomes paramount. Identifying and engaging with potential partners requires a nuanced understanding of alignment, complementarity, relationship building, ethical considerations, and long-term strategic focus. It's about building bridges that connect organizations and create pathways to shared growth, innovation, and success. It's a journey that goes beyond transactions to create transformative and sustainable collaborations, shaping a future where collective strengths lead to meaningful impact and success.

Collaboration and partnership are vital for enhancing digital maturity. In my executive roles, I've actively sought partnerships with diverse entities like startups, academia, and even competitors. This approach not only brings in fresh insights but also allows for a more holistic development of digital capabilities. Co-creating value and sharing best practices with these partners can significantly accelerate digital transformation, leveraging the strength of networks and ecosystems to drive innovation and expand organizational reach. Such strategic collaborations are essential in staying ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Maybe how to improve digital maturity is the wrong question? Perhaps focus on the actual outputs of what working on your digital will result in. The same goes for Digital Transformation in my view 90% of DT's aren't actually transformations they're improvements. So rather than focus on a label, focus on delivering outcomes across people, process and tools to move your organisation forward. You'll then see a far more successful organisation, and you'll have improved your "digital maturity" in the process.

Lead by example and show commitment to digital maturity at all leadership levels. Your active engagement and support will set the tone for the entire organization.