How Goal-Setting facilitates AI transformation

We all know that when we start a new initiative or project, we set some goals. But we often see that goal setting does not get the importance it should have.

I am very happy to welcome Daniel Burger to this episode of Copilot Your Day. Daniel is responsible for our Goal-Setting & OKR (Objective and Key Results) Practice Unit at Campana & Schott .

He's going to show us how and why we should do proper goal setting, especially for the AI transformation. On the one hand from a methodological level and on the other hand from a tool perspective. And even better, Viva Goals is also part of the Microsoft Viva Suite (maybe some of you have already read the Copilot Your Day episode "Accelerate your AI journey with Viva".

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is a megatrend that will shape the future of many industries and companies. But how can the "mammoth task of AI transformation" be successfully implemented when the vision is still fuzzy, the use cases are diverse and the technology is constantly evolving? In this blog post, I would like to show you why Goal-Setting is an effective tool to plan, control and measure the AI transformation. I will present you with some practical examples from our transformation projects at Campana & Schott, which I hope can serve as inspiration for you.?

Why Goal-Setting is important for AI transformation?

AI transformation is a complex and long-term challenge that requires not only technical know-how, but also strategic thinking, organizational learning, and cultural change. As the latest Work Trend Index Report from Microsoft and LinkedIn shows, many companies lack a clear vision and structured implementation plan for AI transformation.?

Mastering this challenge requires a clear direction, a shared focus and continuous adaptation. That's exactly what Goal-Setting can do.?

Goal-Setting is the art of defining, pursuing and achieving goals. This is not only about setting quantitative key figures, but also about creating qualitative changes. Goal-Setting helps to break down the AI transformation into manageable steps, increase employee motivation and engagement, and review and improve the progress and impact of AI initiatives.?

Another advantage of Goal-Setting is the orchestration of the (many) required departments and disciplines in order to successfully shape the AI transformation. Goal-Setting creates a common language and vision for AI transformation that all stakeholders can understand and support. Goal-Setting thus also promotes cooperation and exchange between the different units and teams, which can learn from each other and inspire each other. Goal-Setting also makes it possible to identify and coordinate the dependencies and interfaces between the various AI initiatives in order to exploit synergies and avoid conflicts.?

How Goal-Setting Can Be Applied in AI Transformation?

There are various methods and frameworks for Goal-Setting, which can be appropriate depending on the context and objective . One framework that we use successfully at Campana & Schott is OKR (Objectives and Key Results). OKR is an agile and transparent Goal-Setting framework originally developed by Intel and popularized by Google. OKR consists of two elements: Objectives and Key Results. Objectives are qualitative and inspiring goals that set the direction and meaning of AI transformation. Key results are measurable and achievable results that show whether and how the objectives are being achieved.?

To use OKR for AI transformation, we recommend following these steps:?

• Define your long-term vision for AI transformation. What do you want to achieve with AI? How do you want to stand out from your competitors? How do you want to inspire your customers? How do you want to optimize your internal processes? This vision should be ambitious, but not unrealistic.?
• Derive your annual objectives from this. What are the most important goals you want to achieve this year to get closer to your vision?
• Determine your key results for each objective. How do you measure the success of your objectives? What metrics or indicators do you use? These key results should be quantifiable, understandable, challenging and verifiable.?
• Translate your objectives and key results to the different organizational units and teams. How do the individual units and teams contribute to the overarching goals? What goals do they have of their own? These goals should be coordinated with the higher levels and communicated transparently.?
• Regularly track the progress and impact of your goals. How far along are you in achieving your goals? What are the obstacles or opportunities? How can you adjust or improve your goals? This review should take place at least quarterly and lead to concrete measures.?

Concretization Goal-Setting by using an example?

Let's assume that the goal of your organization is to increase efficiency and competitiveness through the strategic use of AI Most companies are currently operating at this rather generic level – that's not wrong either, but it's not enough. If you sharpen and concretize this goal, it creates much more clarity, focus and transparency. Here is an example of how the above-mentioned generic goal could be broken down into the first step at the annual level:?

We have taken a big step in the development of AI – both in terms of market positioning, adaptation of our services, service delivery and in the area of use by our back office.?

The following "additions" specify what exactly is behind it:?

• We have a compact AI strategy (max. 5 pages), which outlines a basic framework for AI adaptation by the end of 2025.?
• Each organizational unit has identified relevant AI use cases and evaluated them in terms of ROI.?
• We are perceived in the market as a relevant, forward-looking tech company and have published 20 AI-related products and services across all product groups in our portfolio as well as 10 customer references.?
• Each product group has reviewed the use of AI for existing services and, where appropriate, integrated them into relevant services using the PEP (product development process).?

This enables the organizational units and teams to strategically align themselves with the goals, define their own goals and align them with the company's goals. For example, the HR department could be entrusted with the goal of reducing the processing time for HR processes, and quality assurance with the goal of reducing the error rate in a business process. The goals are visible to everyone in the organization and are regularly reviewed and adjusted.?

This Goal-Setting approach creates a clear direction, a common focus and continuous adaptation for AI transformation.

Tool-based Goal-Setting?with Viva Goals

In order to make the Goal-Setting for the AI transformation effective and efficient, it can make sense to use a software tool that facilitates Goal-Setting and tracking. Such a tool, such as Microsoft's Viva Goals, can increase transparency, collaboration, and employee motivation by providing a clear overview of progress and challenges. In addition, Viva Goals allows you to easily adjust and update goals based on data and feedback. With a software tool, organizations can control and measure their A.I. transformation systematically and agilely.?

The Result with Goal-Setting for Your AI Transformation

AI transformation is an important step for organizations that want to remain competitive and innovative in the digital age. To make this transformation successful, you need a clear vision that inspires and engages all employees. You also need concrete first steps that will take you forward on the way to this vision. A tool-based Goal-Setting can help you define and track these steps. Make your goals transparent, collaborative, and agile and measure your progress. Not only can you increase your efficiency and productivity, but you can also boost your creativity and innovation.?

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Thanks for your insightful article and knowledge sharing, Daniel Burger !

Make sure to follow Daniel on LinkedIn ??