Digital Transformation or Adaptation?

[shukla7789]

In the IT area, we have seen, in recent months, a strengthening of the approach to a topic that has become pressing in recent years: Digital Transformation .

Reference to this topic has arisen, essentially, from the perspective of how the COVID-19 pandemic has been the main catalyst for organizations to initiate or implement their Digital Transformation process. However, given such a vast set of statements in this sense, a question arises: is what is currently happening in organizations a Digital Transformation or a Digital Adaptation?

Whether it is transformation or adaptation, there is a common denominator: evolution . In fact, it is possible to consider that what many organizations have put into practice are actions to evolve their processes, which have implied greater use of the digital technology available to them.

But before we look at what might actually be happening, it will be kazakhstan whatsapp number database to establish a common basis of knowledge and understanding, namely about what a Digital Transformation is, what it implies for an organization and how it can be put into practice.

Based on these principles and processes, we can have a clearer idea of ​​how organizations are proceeding.

Digital Transformation: from technological evolution to social changes
In reality, there is no uniform definition for the concept of Digital Transformation, being characterized in different ways by different authors:

"Digital transformation is related to the changes that digital technologies can bring to a company's business model, resulting in altered products and organizational structures, and/or the automation of processes." (Hess, T., Matt, C., Benlian, A., Wiesböck, F. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy” MIS Quarterly Executive (15:2)

"The changes associated with the application of digital technology in all aspects of human society” (Henriette, E., Feki, M., Bougzhala, I. "The Shape of Digital Transformation: A Systematic Literature Review” Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems (MCIS))

"Digital transformation is a social, mobile, analytical or cloud-induced change that significantly affects three or more dimensions: at the individual, business and/or societal level." (Tolboom, I. "The Impact of Digital Transformation” Delft University of Technology)
Regardless of the various definitions, several authors and organizations look at Digital Transformation as one of the processes of evolution of organizations that can contribute most to a new positioning in its area of ​​activity, enabling an improvement in the services provided, an optimization of the resources used and/or the establishment of new channels of interaction with customers and/or users, in a structured way, with the necessary planning of the resources involved, whether human, material, or technological.

How to put a Digital Transformation process into practice?
In an organization, this process will have to address different dimensions. In reality, they are basic points that will allow an organization to optimize the way it makes its goods/services available or create a new offering that differentiates itself from the competition.

This transformation into an organization will therefore go through a process consisting of different stages, during which essential points for its preparation and implementation will be addressed, namely:

Identify the current situation and what you want to achieve;
Involvement of technology and business teams;
Simplify what appears to be complex through joint work between technology and business teams;
Creation of teams with different skills, following an Agile approach;
Create the first models, in order to produce the first results, with the perspective of being able to improve the solution in future versions/solutions;
Maintain a continuous spirit of improvement, keeping up with technological developments, always keeping in mind that the best solution will be achieved through evolution.
Organizations that undertake the Digital Transformation process view digital solutions as a vehicle for their evolution, with different iterations, and empowering their human resources with the necessary skills and the vision to project the future.

Although this evolution is very focused and directed towards technology and what it can contribute, the entire human resources component is essential throughout this process. Raising awareness of new technological solutions, promoting collaboration between teams and managing regular and clear communication throughout the organization about what is being done, in addition to the results achieved, can only be achieved with the active involvement of the Human Resources Management areas.

Adaptation or Digital Transformation?
When analyzing the information that is linked to what is happening in many organizations, it is possible to see that the vast majority have sought to put into practice the adoption of new technological solutions that allow them to have a regular relationship with their resources, as well as with their main activity interlocutors.

The adoption of these technologies has essentially involved providing means and channels for regular contact that enable the maintenance of the relationship and activity that was previously carried out. They essentially aim to ensure that employees are available to perform the tasks that are regularly performed, even in a remote working scenario, as well as to create the conditions for maintaining relationships with their customers and business partners by creating new channels of interaction. These actions have consisted of providing collaboration tools for an organization's employees and creating e-commerce channels or a presence on Marketplaces.

​​​​​​​According to the definition of Digital Transformation mentioned above, the Digital Transformation process is a little more than this. It is, in reality, a planned process of adopting new technological solutions, accompanied by changes in processes and human skills, with the aim of adding something to an activity, whether it is a contact channel, a new service or a product, taking full advantage of the assets and skills available.

What we are seeing today, given the current reality, is that many organizations are resorting to technology in a way that is not always structured and planned , but with the aim of minimizing the impact of the current adversity. In this situation, we can consider that we are, in many cases, facing a Digital Adaptation .