Digital Transformation and its analogy to Marathon

Most of us are aware that running has immense health benefits and for some it is equivalent to therapy. Exercise helps one keep fit and healthy. Apart from hitting the gym, I have been running for just over 5 years now and I am really happy I started running. I would still say I have many more milestones to achieve and trying to improve my performance every run. I have run several 10K and half marathons, however, yet to run a full marathon. I definitely have aspirations to run one soon though. However, after so much of running, I can say any amount of running needs not only physical but also mental strength.

Digital transformation on the other hand has been the talk of the town for quite some time now. Many Indian machine builders as well as factories have already embarked on their digital transformation journey whereas many are still dwelling and evaluating while taking a conservative approach. Many have opted to leverage the low hanging fruits and get a head start in the digital journey. The latter turns out to be easiest and might be most cost-effective method to start something new.  

The most important question at this point in time is “Why”. As mentioned earlier, running has various benefits enabling one to keep fit and healthy. It could have a calming effect on some such as meditation or for some it could be improving running timing at each run. Goals of running for each individual might vary. The reasons for an organization to opt for digital transformation is to be competitive in this ever changing market or for survival or for some to gain a technology edge over competition among many other things. Here too the goals for embarking on the digital transformation journey could vary.

Having interacted with many organization during discussions on transforming their businesses digitally, I would like to sight an analogy of any digital transformation project for any organization to running or running a marathon. I have run a lot and when I compare a digital transformation to running a marathon, I find many similarities right from before starting a run till one crosses the finish line.

This is my perception of the analogy especially from the point of view of a beginner at running and anyone evaluating new technologies. I could equate it to the time I started running. Thus, beginning to run or beginning a journey of digital transformation, I find many similarities.

The kick-off | Digital Transformation: Do I need any pre-requisite measure and how do I start Vs Marathon: Do I need practice and how do I start?

Kick-off is one of the most important. While thinking of running, it is always wise to start small and run based on one’s capability. It is possible for one beginner to directly run a 10k whereas for another beginner running a 1k, 3k or 5k is a good start. Thus, one starts based on their capabilities and endurance. Definitely practice is the key to ensure a successful completion and with every practice one gets better. Thus, starting small and moving on to bigger aspirations works best in runs and marathons. Selecting a pacer during a race to set your time or joining a running group to keep up the motivation helps a great deal. Thus, these elements act as partners for your success.  

In analogy, many have aspirations to start a digital transformation project and in the process evaluate many vendors and solutions available in the market. Many start the journey whereas many hit road blocks with unclear understanding of RoI or lack of awareness about technology and investments. Thus any organization needs a partner who will collaborate with them and help in not only optimizing solutions but also enabling a successful implementation. One important aspect is that there needs to be trust amongst all entities and people involved in such transformation projects made up of disruptive technologies.

Thus, there are some activities an organization willing to embark on their digital journey needs to do. It could be identifying technologies enabling them to become market leaders or becoming competitive or simply surviving in the market; identifying gaps in their current processes for possible optimization. Once these steps are done, mapping technologies or solutions with the goal the organization has set out to achieve as mentioned above. In addition, there could be number of improvements which new technology could possibly bring in the process of identifying gaps, optimizing process or an organizations determination to become market leaders. Once all aspects are clear, an organization can understand the amount of investment needed for achieving their set goal. As a partner, I would recommend to take one implementation at a time, observe benefits and then move of the next implementation. Thus, starting small and then moving on to the bigger aspirations might be a good way forward.

This is identical to the marathon, work as per ones capabilities. However, ensure to keep improving at every stage.     

The dilemma | Digital Transformation: Do I really need to start the project Vs Marathon: Why did I register and is it really important to start?

The first few runs are always difficult when we head into race day. There could be many factors such as getting up early and being ready for the run, traveling and reaching the start point on time and eventually enduring your strength to finish the planned run. Success comes to those who overcome these hurdles and aim to cross the finish line. The thoughts of “Why did I even register” might come when hurdles pop up leading to the race or during the start of the race. This is usually true for beginners. Beginners is not just first time runners, it could be runners who opt to change distance too. eg. If one is used to running 10k and registers for a 21k he is a beginner too and these thoughts do not escape ones mind.    

In analogy, there might be many areas which need addressing while starting digital transformation. There could be possibilities that current work on the table might be hampered or extra resources are needed or some activities call for strong collaboration amongst teams and vendors. All these might be deterrents and hurdles in their road, which might spark a thought “Do I really need to start the project?” These are hurdles as the transformation project is a journey and offer returns in long term whereas the task at hand are providing immediate returns from a business point of view. Successful organizations have been efficient in overcoming these challenges and moving forward. It is important that this is just a phase and it will pass and there is always light at the end of a tunnel.  

Challenges make the journey tough as well as fun & destination makes it clear on why we started | Digital Transformation Vs Marathon

There are challenges and grey areas in anything new that one starts. These activities are no different. It is the mind-set, a clear set of goals together with determination to achieve success, which differentiates one from another. Both these journeys have many hurdles and areas where one feels to call it quits. However, once any milestone is achieved it becomes clear as to why one started the journey. In a marathon, it is completing a set target kilometres such as 1k, 3k, 5k, 10k, 21k or 42K or it could even be bettering the time of completion over the previous goal or achievement. On the other hand, implementation of OEE project going live on the shop-floor and management able to witness change in trend with higher OEE is a milestone. However, this is not in one day the results are seen, the analysis and trends needs a couple of days and form a pattern. There could be corrective actions suggested and then these implementations further might need observations to confirm its success.

In the end, it is very important to start and take baby steps, results will definitely follow. Whether, one runs a 1k, 3k, 5k, 10k, 21k or a 42k every end point is a milestone and something to cherish. Similarly, investing small and moving forward in the digital journey is essential and each success is a win. Similarly, each failure for not achieving the desired goals is a learning and a stepping stone to success. Thus, as one can see there are many similarities in a digital transformation and running a marathon. Success at the end of the line is what is satisfying.