Digital transformation projects are becoming more and more prominent in the modern business world. It's no secret that these projects can be tough; they require significant time, resources, and investment. Many businesses have attempted digital transformation projects, only to have them fail completely or partially. In fact, studies show that 70%-84% of attempts end in failure (Forbes 2016; BCG 2020). At ART, we believe these failures trace back to three main issues: businesses succumbing to software instead of vice versa, lack of end-user representation in projects, and failing to champion launch execution as the most important part of the journey. Let’s dive into each one and explore further.
Succumbing to Software Instead of Vice Versa
Many businesses try to start their digital transformation project by finding a software solution and then trying to fit their needs into it. This approach almost always leads to failure because you are trying to fit a round peg into a square hole—it just won't work. At ART, we recommend starting with the business needs first and then finding a software solution that is tailored specifically for those needs. This ensures that the software you choose will be able to meet all your requirements without any major modifications needed later down the line.
Lack of End-User Representation in Projects
Another common mistake made when attempting digital transformation projects is not having enough user representation during the project itself. For example, if you don't bring user feedback into account when designing the system specifications or developing the user interface, it's highly likely that users will find using your system frustrating and cumbersome—which could lead to decreased adoption rates among users and ultimately result in failure for your project as well. To avoid this pitfall, make sure you include user representation throughout every stage of your project so that their feedback can be considered early on.
Failing To Champion Launch Execution
Finally, many companies make the mistake of thinking that once they have developed their software solutions, they are done with their digital transformation project—but this couldn't be further from the truth! The launch execution phase is just as important as any other part of your project because it sets up how successful your product will be long-term. If you don't put enough effort into marketing your product or training users before launch day arrives then chances are you won't achieve your desired results in terms of user adoption or revenue generation. To ensure success during this phase, focus on creating an effective marketing strategy as well as providing comprehensive user training materials before launching your product so everyone understands how it works before using it themselves. It also helps to include a larger group of end users in the UAT and training phases so they can help promote and champion training execution among their peers.
In Closing
Taking on digital transformation can be daunting but incredibly rewarding for businesses willing to take on such a challenge—if approached correctly! By understanding why digital transformation projects fail and addressing these issues head-on before
beginning your own project will increase its chance for success significantly. However, if you feel overwhelmed don’t hesitate reach out for help from professionals who specialize in this field such as Autonomous Retail Technology, who can provide guidance throughout every stage of your journey from design & development all the way through launch execution and beyond.
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