Master Your Change Story for Digital Transformation

Leverage a proven methodology for change story creation & communication to enhance your transformation’s odds of success

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Digital Transformation

What is digital transformation…

An at-scale change program – planned and executed over a finite time period – with the aspiration of creating material, sustainable improvement in the performance of an organization by deploying a programmatic approach to digital technology adoption and innovation.

1. INTRODUCTION

Digital transformation can unlock significant value, but getting it right is tough

Digital transformation can unlock significant profits…

26% …is the average increase in profitability for companies that prioritize digital transformation compared to their industry competitors (MIT).

…and will be the largest driver of economic growth…

70% …of new value created in the economy over the next decade will be based on digitally enabled platform business models (World Economic Forum).

…however, most fail to achieve their objectives

84% …of companies that have undertaken initiatives have “failed” – they haven’t seen sustained and material performance improvement (Forbes).

Info-Tech has a comprehensive approach to help you beat the odds and deliver against your digital transformation aspirations

Digital journey framework

Digital Strategy (input to journey) A company’s articulation and approach to using data and technology to support overarching corporate strategy (e.g. portion of corporate strategy enabled by digital investments).	Establish your digital North Star Set Aspiration: Vision setting with key BU stakeholders to discuss and align on digital aspiration (e.g., Big-T vs. Mini-T, self-funded and slow burn vs investments)	Quantify the value of digital use cases Assess Opportunity: Comprehensive E2E understanding of the digital opportunity across BUs/functions (e.g. data analysis, process walks, and interviews).	Create the digital roadmap Design and Plan: Bottom-up initiative design and holistic initiative roadmap planning (e.g. opportunity to initiatives, financials, phasing, design principles).	Deliver digital use cases and realize impact Execute: Detailed initiative builds, and implementation; execution with rigor and transparency (e.g. process optimization then automation, test, measure, scale).
	Create the infrastructure to drive & sustain change Enable: Stand up the transformation infrastructure, operating model, and culture to drive value capture and sustain change.

Digital journey asset catalog

This document is part of Info-Tech’s Digital Journey asset catalog. The topics addressed within this document are part of the cross-cutting enablers in element five of the digital journey framework: “Create the infrastructure to drive & sustain change.” Visit the Digital Transformation Research Center to find the full catalog of available materials.

Digital Transformation Research Center

Info-Tech’s approach and team can help irrespective of where you are in your transformation journey

Applicable framework elements for this document

	Starting				Benefiting
Where are you in the journey?	Establish your digital North Star	Quantify the value of digital use cases	Create the digital roadmap	Deliver digital use cases and realize impact	Create the infrastructure to drive & sustain change
	Set Aspiration: Vision setting with key BU stakeholders to discuss and align on digital aspiration (e.g. Big-T vs. Mini-T; self-funded and slow burn vs. investments)	Assess Opportunity: Comprehensive E2E understanding of the digital opportunity across business/functions (e.g. data analysis, process walks, and interviews)	Design and Plan: Bottom-up initiative design and planning (e.g. opportunity initiatives, financials, phasing, design principles)	Execute: Detailed initiative builds and implementation; execution with rigor and transparency (e.g. process optimization then automation, test, measure, scale)	Enable: Stand up the transformation infrastructure, operating model, and culture to drive value capture and sustain change
Examples of how Info-Tech can help	Digital North Star Placemat (e.g. industry trends, top-down opportunity, high-level planning)	Digital Maturity Assessments (e.g. current state digital adoption & transformation readiness)	Initiative Bottom-Up Design (e.g. initiative ideation and business case creation, workplan, investments)	Initiative Build (e.g. zero-based process redesign with technology)	Transformation Infrastructure (e.g. transformation program design, transformation office)
		Opportunity Assessments (e.g. BUs/Function value creation diagnostics, opportunity levers)	Holistic Initiative Planning (e.g. phasing, interdependencies, investments)	Initiative Implementation (e.g. testing and pilot, scale-up roadmap, performance tracking)	IT Modernization (e.g. technology infrastructure required to execute digital levers)
				Value Assurance Assessment (e.g. course correcting & accelerating initiatives underway)	Change Management (e.g. org-wide change program and stories, comms, governance)
	The following content will help an organization draft and cascade a change story through the organization. Change stories are a key change mgmt. component of any transformation and help to create a sense of urgency and momentum for the transformation, build support and buy-in from key stakeholders, and align employees around a common goal. Details to follow				Performance Management (e.g. KPIs – leading and lagging, people mgmt. for continuous improvement.)
					Workforce Management (e.g. upskilling, right people, right place, right time)

2. Executive summary

Analyst Perspective

Getting the change story right is critical

Digital transformations are complex, disruptive programs that can affect multiple aspects of any organization, from strategy and operations to culture and people. Given this complexity, it is no wonder that up to 85% of these transformations fail to create their intended value. A well-crafted and effectively communicated change story can be the difference between a successful digital transformation and a missed opportunity. It can help to create a sense of urgency and momentum for the transformation, build support and buy-in from key stakeholders, and align employees around a common goal. Moreover, a change story can help address common concerns and resistance to change, such as fear of the unknown, loss of control, and perceived risks. In short, a great change story is a must-have for any organization that wants to be part of the 15% that sees value creation from their digital transformations. Don’t let your efforts go to waste.

Jash Shah Associate Digital Transformation Consulting Info-Tech Research Group

Introduction

Document purpose

1. Establish the need for and purpose of a change story for a digital transformation.
2. Outline the key components to craft a successful change story, including a high-level overview of how to create one with basic templates to support execution.
3. Establish the process to communicate the change story throughout your organization, with a cadence to follow for optimal execution.

This document is NOT

• A comprehensive overview of all components required to drive a successful change management program for a digital transformation.

Outcome

Establish a meaningful change story and supporting communication process for your digital transformation.

Deliverables

1. Change story