How do you develop and implement a digital strategy for your department or institution?

Some ways to get started can be a department-based survey of faculty member ease of use and familiarity with certain digital tools that are keep to the implementation

The digital strategy must underpin and enable the success of the University's overall Strategic Plan. It must also be wholly incorporated into the Business Plan, or Resource Plan, of the institution. Unless this occurs, the institution is not proceeding in the direction of growth in a sustainable manner. Many Higher Education Institutions fail to achieve their strategic plans because their digital and resourcing and growth and sustainment initiatives are not synchronized.

In cases where the digital strategy adoption is based on totally new tools or drastic changes are made to existing digital tools, while being time-bound with the goals, it is important to include some flexibility in the time structures. Change management is not a walk in the park, especially when it involves some level of behavioural changes on the part of the stakeholders.

What I learned in my role setting up a digitally intense Magnetoencephalography (MEG) lab might have some general application here: You never know what individuals will have key ideas or concerns you are missing: Get buckets of input from a large, group of individuals with varied expertise from teachers to engineers to architects to advanced computer experts to those who have done this type of project before. Visit multiple sites that are doing what you want to do. Listen and watch those there to see what frustrates & what empowers those trying to get something done. Think of solutions during visits. And have experts visit your site. ?Trust no local expert completely who has also a competing financial incentive. Look at ALL plans.

Pour mettre en ?uvre une stratégie numérique pour votre département ou institution d'enseignement supérieur, il est essentiel de commencer par définir une vision claire des résultats que vous souhaitez obtenir. Pour cela, utilisez des outils tels que des ateliers de brainstorming ou des groupes de discussion pour impliquer les parties prenantes et recueillir leurs idées. Ensuite, définissez des objectifs SMART (spécifiques, mesurables, atteignables, pertinents et limités dans le temps) qui vous permettront de suivre votre progression et d'ajuster votre stratégie si nécessaire.

The digital initiatives to choose can be as small as just a capability of the company. Picking a small scope and dealing with it successfully can lead to good results can give confidence and excitment to move further. Then leveraging on that experience you can address a broader scope such as one or several BU or the overall company. If going digital is crucial to redefining the business to prevent it from imminent death, then going on tiny steps will not fit the purpose.

Those digital initiatives mentioned above can have a transformative impact on an organization, promoting digital fluency, collaboration, and innovation. By embracing these initiatives, organizations can unlock new opportunities and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.

A key point to add for digital strategies, is they have to be audience focused! Define who exactly you want to reach and identify their preferred methods of communication and on what platforms. Doing this during your background research in the creation of a digital strategy will focus your goal and SMART objectives more fully. Each audience must have a defined objective with an associated call to action or else you are just throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what sticks digitally.

When assessing, besides the aspects already mentioned, I'd include the users' needs and expectations. And to prioritze it's also useful to consider value and effort. Once identified the digital initiatives with highest value and lowest effort, go first for these. And continue.

By establishing a robust governance structure and reporting mechanism, progress and performance can be effectively monitored and evaluated. This allows for timely adjustments and ensures that the digital strategy remains on track. By efficiently allocating resources and responsibilities, organizations can maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of their digital initiatives. This step helps in establishing accountability, ensuring proper coordination, and ultimately driving the desired outcomes from the digital strategy.

Three things I found helpful are to address the concerns, fears and resistances directly with empathy, compassionate listening and community building. Visit faculty students and staff to hear their feedback firsthand. Explain how technology addresses their self interest and adds value to their work.

The very concept of digital strategy has taken a full rebirth, thanks to the surging popularity of AI. I think this article could benefit from somewhat of a reorientation with AI at the center of digital transformation. Let me state a couple of radical shifts: Intelligent automation: AI automates repetitive administrative tasks within the higher education sector, allowing staff and faculty to focus on more strategic activities, such as curriculum development and student support services. Mass customized student experience: AI technologies enable personalized learning experiences by analyzing student data and tailoring educational content and support to individual needs.

I'd like to share some of my thoughts from my project experience. Focus on talent digitization. Be a digital evangelist, inspiring team members to be aware of and ignite their interest in digitalization, letting them experience the benefits. Create an open environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration, accelerating the dissemination of digital knowledge and skills, and driving organizational digital progress. Moreover, provide incentives for digital talent. Whether it's a dedicated member from the digital team or other business unit, rewarding exceptional digital performers will further enhance the internal drive for digitalization. Focus the talent, they are the key to unlocking the potential of digitalization!