The Human Side Of Digital Transformation: What Universities Need To Get Right

At a time when digital transformation has become important for higher education institutions, many universities are discovering a harsh truth: focusing solely on technology isn't enough. The key to successful transformation lies in putting humans at the centre of these initiatives.

The Challenge: Why Universities Struggle with Digital Change

Universities face unique challenges when implementing digital transformation:

• Traditional education models often create fragmented, siloed structures
• Faculty resistance to centralisation efforts
• Post-pandemic change fatigue among staff
• Lack of "muscle memory" for organisational change

Six Core Practices for Success

Research by 安永 and Sa?d Business School, University of Oxford reveals that organisations are 2.6 times more likely to succeed in their transformation efforts when they implement these six human-centred practices:

1. Leadership That Adapts

• Ensure all department heads are prepared to champion change
• Develop genuine digital fluency among leaders
• Build teams based on adaptability and willingness to embrace change

2. Inspiration Through Vision

• Create compelling narratives that focus on benefits, not just technology
• Demonstrate tangible impact on people's daily lives
• Include stakeholders in the decision-making process

3. Cultural Care and Support

• Create safe spaces for expressing concerns
• Actually listen to and act on feedback
• Leaders should demonstrate vulnerability by admitting they don't have all the answers

4. Empowerment Through Autonomy

• Implement agile working methods
• Encourage controlled experimentation
• Create meaningful incentives for innovation

5. Capability Building

• Deploy technology quickly to demonstrate benefits
• Communicate impacts consistently
• Provide adequate time and resources for learning

6. Cross-Campus Collaboration

• Break down departmental silos
• Maintain transformation momentum after initial launches
• Identify and leverage informal influencers

The Path Forward

For universities to successfully transform, they must invest as much in their people as they do in technology. This means:

• Obtaining genuine buy-in from faculty and staff
• Fostering collaboration across traditional boundaries
• Driving rapid but supported adoption
• Providing emotional and psychological support
• Building digital capabilities and mindsets
• Regularly celebrating wins and sharing learnings

The success of digital transformation in higher education isn't just about selecting the right technology - it's about understanding and supporting the humans who will use it. When leaders embrace this human-centred approach, they significantly improve their chances of achieving lasting, meaningful change.