Data about data, technology gaps and time-consuming IT processes - the desire for efficient processes, innovative strength and increased sales is driving many companies. Many are constantly confronted with the need to revise their own digitalization strategy in the context of their corporate strategy.
Digitalization requires increasingly shorter cycles for review and further development. In this process, the processing and availability of data often comes into focus as a central pillar. Data is commonly described as the oil of the 21st century and is gaining central importance in the creation of new business models and innovations. This can only succeed with future-oriented IT development. This is precisely where the development of a suitable digitalization strategy comes in.
But how can companies create a future strategy and thus generate tangible added value? We present a method that supports companies with the implementation of a new IT concept on their way to a future-proof IT landscape.
The new role of a modern IT department
Whereas in the past, a stable infrastructure (data center, server, network, etc.) and optimally equipped workstations (PC, notebook, smartphone, tablet, etc.) were required by IT departments, today's role is shifting towards various consulting activities.
Nowadays, IT must be a central digitalization advisor to the specialist departments and management!
It is not just a matter of optimizing work processes and transforming data from analogue to digital. IT can also support management in strategically tackling most technical challenges, reducing any skepticism towards new platforms and developing completely new business models.
In the following, we describe how the current situation can be analyzed and a future digitalization strategy developed.
What does your current IT development look like?
The first step should be to analyze your current IT environment. This involves taking a close look at your infrastructure, the business processes involved, the relationships between them, existing software and all organizational units involved. A new development plan can later be developed on this basis. This serves as an important tool for IT management.
The aim of your new concept should be to optimize your IT landscape in such a way that technical decisions can be made holistically, links are set up sensibly and the current needs of your users and customers are optimally covered.
The analysis of five fields of action
To analyze your current information management, you should use the following five fields of action from your company and analyze each of them:
- Infrastructure (data center, server, network, firewall, ...)
- Workplace (PC, laptop, smartphone, tablet, ...)
- Communication & Collaboration (telephony, chat, online meetings, ...)
- Business applications (Office365, specialist & special applications, ...)
- Governance (IT policy, guidelines, change management, ...)
The aims of the workshop
This should be followed by a workshop. Analyze your current situation and IT environment. These areas should be benchmarked with regard to the current state of the art and best practice approaches.
The result of each workshop should be an analysis of the current situation, a future IT development plan and a clear concept for implementation, including concrete, pragmatic measures.
In line with the "make or buy" principle, the results can include both in-house solutions (= "make") or measures using external services (= "buy"). These depend entirely on the influencing factors, such as value creation, costs, quality, risks, image issues and strategic decisions.
Depending on the results of the workshop, the new strategy can be implemented directly with the planned measures or suitable partners can be brought in for implementation. These partners should have the appropriate skills and references for the planned (sub-)projects. It is also possible to issue a neutral invitation to tender for the selection of a suitable service provider.
Course of the workshop
How does the workshop for developing a new digitalization strategy work?
The participants should consist of your IT team, selected representatives from the specialist departments and management. Because only together and as a team can all facets and requirements of the IT landscape be recorded and defined.
Based on the preliminary analysis of your current situation, a location analysis is developed. This serves as a 360° view of your IT landscape. How is your IT organized and what are its costs? Where is there a need for action and what is the current strategic direction? Focus on the current status of your IT and carry out a detailed analysis of the current situation.
Also examine the extent to which your current information management may deviate from your corporate strategy. Based on these deviations, you can derive concrete strategies and measures to ensure that everyone involved pursues the same goals in the future.
Basically, all plans and projects should always be divided into short, medium and long-term areas. This allows you to immediately generate noticeable added value for your company with "quick wins".
Quick wins mean fast and effective results that are achieved with little effort. These can be, for example, a small automation for the efficient processing of customer data or a simplification of data transfers. Even small steps can have a big impact.
Results without glossy technical terms
Speak a clear language. It is important that everyone involved in the workshop gets a realistic picture of your current situation. The new strategy should also be formulated in an understandable way. Modern "glossy terms", imprecise goals and vague measures are useless.
It is much more important that everyone involved develops an understanding of the concerns of your IT department. Whether IT itself, related departments or the management - everyone should pull together and pursue the new digitalization strategy.
Are you probably wondering why a digitalization strategy is so important? We have created an overview of the most important opportunities of a concrete strategy that can help your company on its way to a digitalized future.
The great opportunities of a digitalization strategy
The digitalization strategy is part of the corporate strategy. It is derived from the corporate objectives and existing framework conditions. It sets the direction of the IT infrastructure and supports companies in their business processes. Gain an insight into the other benefits of implementing a digitalization strategy here:
- Long-term pursuit and implementation of the corporate strategy
- Short, medium and long-term realization of corporate goals
- Efficient design of business processes
- Cost reduction
- Consideration of all areas of the company involved, such as production, human resources or finance
- Strategic implementation of customer needs
- Development of new business areas
- Creation of a high value chain
- Defining the framework conditions for efficient IT management
Your strategy workshop for future-oriented and sustainable IT
Would you also like to develop a new digitalization strategy for your company? We at Passion4IT will conduct a strategy workshop with you directly on site. Based on a comprehensive questionnaire to analyse the five fields of action, we will work out a detailed assessment of the current situation and develop your digitalization strategy together.
Immediately after the presentation of the results, you will receive detailed documentation material. You can then immediately start implementing the first optimizations.
Based on the experience of over 20 years in responsible positions as heads of IT departments and as consultants in cross-industry digitization, ERP, CRM and HR projects, we work with you to create the basis for the sustainable and future-oriented redesign of your information management.
Are you curious about the workshop and need more information? Then get in touch with me. Together we will develop a plan for your future-proof and sustainable digitalization strategy.
