The only thing certain about Technology is Change! Every time we go through the initiation of a new disruptive technology, and yes, there have been many times before digitization, that the technology team has needed to manage the status quo, while simultaneously implementing the new horizon. So the question remains, how do we know which change to embark on first and which is worth investing in for the overall benefit of the company, in due time? We came across this article, http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/Running_your_company_at_two_speeds which is an excellent resource that demonstrates how businesses can effectively combine the emerging digital process with traditional ones and how to determine when it is worth to disrupt your companies current technological flow.
This bifurcation of effort and skills is normal for talented technology teams and their leaders. Let’s take a moment and reflect on our past experiences, to account and move forward this time around. As technology leaders, we do not need to re-invent the wheel. The pace and sequence of implementation and adoption should always be a joint decision between business users and technology teams – this alone will keep the disruption to a meow instead of a roar! This is an opportunity for the technical folks to explain the process – the dependencies and what choices/options exist. Assisting business users in gaining understanding and knowledge should be welcomed and embraced – this will allow for huge payoffs going forward, as well as a more knowledgeable business user at the table when the next opportunity for technical transformation occurs.
Ultimately, can we all agree, that the choices of “what, when and why” change will happen should be driven by business need – ah, yes…back to that old “bottom-line” scenario. Before you disrupt your business processes, take a keen look at the 3 w’s and ask your organization some soul-searching questions:
Why – are we looking at a specific change/transformation?
What – will we gain – if we do or do not change?
What – could we lose – if we do or do not change?
When – now – implications?
When – later – wait and see – implications?
Please share your thoughts on how best to move all of this digitization forward in an organization? We would love to hear your experiences.