Frequently asked questions

What is Digital Transformation and why is it so important? We’re glad you asked. Digital Transformation is the process of integrating digital technologies into various aspects of a business, which leads to fundamental changes in how the business operates and delivers value to its customers. But as much as we talk about technology when we refer to Digital Transformation, the reality is that the work is as much about people and business processes as it is about the platforms and capabilities companies are adopting.

We highly recommend reading this article to get a better understanding of what Digital Transformation is really about, as well as this foundational article to understand the difference between Digital Transformation, Operating Model Transformation, and Business Model Transformation.

What is Operating Model Transformation and why is it so important? Operating Model Transformation refers to a strategic reconfiguration of how an organization's processes, structures, and resources are aligned to achieve its business objectives.

We highly recommend reading this foundational article to understand what Operating Model Design is, as well as this article to learn about what makes Digital Transformation, Operating Model Transformation, and Business Model Transformation distinct from one another.

What is Project-to-Product Transformation and why does it matter? Project-to-Product Transformation represents a strategic shift in how organizations conceptualize and execute their initiatives. Unlike the conventional project-centric approach, P2P focuses on treating products or services as ongoing entities with lifecycles, continuous development, and an unswerving commitment to meeting customer needs.

We recommend reading this foundational article to understand the key tenets of Project-to-Product Transformation and why it’s so important.

What is Digital Transformation in healthcare? Digital transformation in healthcare refers to the integration of advanced digital technologies, data analytics, and innovative strategies to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and improve outcomes for patients and communities. It involves the overhaul of traditional healthcare practices, from medical records and diagnostic processes, to patient engagement and administrative tasks. The goal is to create a more connected, patient-centric, and efficient healthcare ecosystem that harnesses the power of technology to drive positive change.

We recommend reading this foundational piece to understand the key drivers of Digital Transformation in healthcare, tools adopted by digitally-transformed healthcare organizations, and challenges and considerations.

A financial services Digital Transformation encompasses the integration of digital technologies into all aspects of operations, customer interactions, and business models. It is driven by the recognition that the rapid advancement of technology is reshaping customer expectations, regulatory landscapes, and competitive dynamics. This transformation is not merely about adopting new tools; it's about reimagining processes, creating new value propositions, and fostering a culture of innovation.

We recommend reading this foundational piece to understand the key drivers of Digital Transformation in financial services, tools adopted by digitally-transformed financial service organizations, and challenges and considerations.

What does Empowered Execution mean in Digital Transformation? At its core, Empowered Execution enables employees and teams across the organization to take ownership, make decisions, and drive initiatives forward. It's a departure from traditional hierarchical structures where decision-making is confined to top-tier management. Instead, it champions a decentralized approach, granting autonomy to employees at various levels to act decisively, experiment, and learn from both successes and failures.

We recommend reading this foundational article to understand why Empowered Execution matters, how to build team-based organizational structure, and why you should implement effective employee empowerment strategies.

How will I know if my Digital Transformation is or isn’t working, and how long does Digital Transformation take? To answer these questions, we recommend reading this article about KPIs essential to understanding the progress and impact of your digital Transformation Efforts. We also recommend reading this article about progress markers for Digital Transformation, and this article about symptoms that indicate your digital transformation efforts might be threatened.

How can you prepare your employees for Digital Transformation? Let us count the ways! Simply put, an organization's biggest asset is its people, so it’s critical to invest in your employees as much as you invest in new technology.

In this article, we discuss the two things leaders can do to prepare employees for transformation.

We also created a series on talent management for digitally-transforming companies.

The first installment will help you craft a talent strategy that can support where the organization is headed so teams don’t crumble as they come up against new pressures and ways of working. Read it here.

The second installment will help digitally-transforming organizations, or organizations shifting from a project-to-product mindset to train and grow current staff. Read it here.

The third installment will help you address change resistance by exploring the root cause of change resistance, why organizations must address it, and three key elements of successful change-agility frameworks. Read it here.

Governance in Digital Transformation regards how work gets done in an organization, how it’s accounted for and managed across business units, and how communication around the work is handled.

We recommend reading this foundational article to better understand the concept of governance in Digital Transformations and Operating Model Transformations, why it’s so important to get it right, and the small shifts you can start making today to improve your processes and see better results.

In essence, change management uses a set of tools or structures to plan a change, assess key stakeholder and business impacts, manage risk, and focus on execution and measurement.

Change leadership, on the other hand, focuses on creating a compelling vision and a path forward for the change.

We recommend reading this foundational article to better understand the key differences between these concepts, how to diagnose a Change Management vs a Change Leadership power struggle, and the mindset shifts every leader needs to make in order to support a successful transformation toward product-led ways of working.