Confucius (551–479 BCE) was a Chinese philosopher and educator who had a significant impact on Chinese culture and society. His philosophy, known as Confucianism, emphasized the importance of cultivating virtues, maintaining social harmony, and adhering to proper rituals and best practices.

One of his pieces of wisdom reads, “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.” This age-old wisdom finds new relevance in the context of digital transformation (DX). DX initiatives involve using technology to significantly alter how a business operates, interacts with customers, and delivers value. However, implementing a new technology solution without proper preparation will not automatically create success for the organization.

Without preparing to sustain the transformation, the DX initiative runs the risk of being over budget, past deadlines, and without the expected return on investment (ROI). Even if the implementation itself is successful, the lack of preparation hinders the long-term success of the initiative, landing you back at square one. This article examines the link between preparation and sustainable change and provides steps you can take to achieve long-term success.

Defining Success in Digital Transformation

Understanding what sustainable success looks like is crucial for business leaders to effectively prepare. Success should not be limited to the successful rollout of the technology, as even in a successful implementation the realization of the anticipated benefits can be subject to the sustainability of the changes implemented. If the system is not used, not used correctly, or creates significant maintenance issues, the implementation may be successful, but there’s no real transformation.

This type of long-term success requires organizational acceptance and business process conformity. In many cases, companies will spend enormous amounts of time and resources to implement a new system, only to find that their employees are either not using it or are using it inefficiently. By employing Organizational Change Management (OCM) strategies and monitoring user acceptance and business process conformity, leaders can empower their team to drive the sustainability of the project far beyond the go-live date.

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Another marker of sustainable success is whether the transformational technology initiative has achieved the desired business outcomes. Most companies have a set of expectations for their DX initiative, which were likely used to justify the cost of the initiative. If those expectations are not met, the initiative may have been a failure. By defining measurable business goals and establishing and then measuring against relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), leaders can ensure that the DX initiative will bring long-term success to their business.

Finally, sustainable success demands a culture of continuous improvement. In the rapidly evolving business landscape, it is unlikely that a single transformational initiative will sufficiently position an organization for long-term success. It is essential to cultivate an environment where regular assessments, feedback, and improvements are embraced and welcomed.

Victoria Fide redefines what success looks like in digital transformation. Our Process for Transformational Change empowers leaders to sustain the change past the go-live date, and it all begins with preparation.

The Link Between Preparation and Success

As Confucius said, “Success depends upon previous preparation.” Victoria Fide Consulting co-founder and CEO Tory Bjorklund says something similar, “Preparedness is the number one determining factor for success with transformational technology initiatives.” The first and most crucial stage of Victoria Fide’s Process for Transformational Change is Prepare. The steps and activities in this stage can be directly tied to an outcome later in the Process and will have a direct effect on the project’s ultimate success. Let’s take scope management, for example.

Scope creep is a phenomenon that happens during implementations when the project’s completion requirements exceed the originally defined requirements. Managing scope is vital to keep the project on budget, on time, and within its originally defined requirements. What most people don’t realize is that scope creep can be traced back to a lack of preparation.

An assessment activity that Victoria Fide calls “Enterprise Process Review” is an activity that is vital to managing scope later in the process. The information gathered from this review provides a baseline for defining business requirements and laying a foundation for future activities such as identifying transformation opportunities, building out a DX roadmap, and completing a requirements analysis.

Leaders, facing budget and time constraints in addition to pressure from stakeholders, underestimate the importance of completing these preparatory activities. The result is a project that suffers from scope creep, project thrashing, and missed deadlines, ultimately costing the success of the entire project.

Preparing to Succeed with Proactive Planning

By prioritizing preparation, businesses can take advantage of a proactive approach to position themselves at the forefront of the digital revolution and gain a competitive edge. Being reactive may offer short-term solutions, but it often lacks the foresight needed to thrive in the long term.

This type of proactive planning begins well before the project kick-off. Conducting reviews and assessments enables the organization to discover transformational opportunities. Building a roadmap, project portfolio and charter(s) helps clarify the vision for the project and defines the scope and responsibilities. Creating a comprehensive project management plan (PMP) that includes a risk list and correlating risk management strategies provides guidelines for navigating any disruptions that may arise.

Risk management plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth digital transformation process. Identifying potential risks and developing strategies to minimize their impact helps safeguard the company’s progress. A well-prepared business can weather the storms of digital transformation and emerge stronger on the other side.

Sustainable Change in the Digital Era: The Key to Long-Term Success

As you journey through the digital transformation landscape, remember the timeless wisdom of Confucius’ quote: “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.” These ancient words highlight the role that preparation plays in achieving both short-term and long-term success in a DX initiative and beyond.

Empower your team by employing OCM strategies and monitoring user acceptance to significantly increase the sustainability of success long after the initial go-live. Embrace a proactive approach through diligently building and following a project roadmap and establish a risk management strategy to provide the foundation and guidance your project needs when setbacks and obstacles inevitably arise. Finally, building a culture of continuous improvement will ensure your business continues to experience success not just through a single DX project, but in all future transformational initiatives.

With preparation, planning, and a commitment to adaptability, you are well on your way to navigating the digital age with confidence and driving your organization toward a prosperous and successful future.