有抱负的变革型领导者可以从最常破坏数字化成功的事情中学到很多东西。以下是您需要预测的挑战的综述，以及帮助您的组织为未来旅程做好准备的方法。
在当今快节奏的商业世界中，公司正在努力利用数字技术的力量来重塑其运营、增强客户体验、推动创新，从而为利益相关者创造价值。但残酷的事实是，许多数字计划未能取得成果。
转型工作可能因多种原因而脱轨，但关于数字化计划不足的原因，有几个共同的主题——大多数都围绕着领导力。因此，如果您正在寻求在组织中领导转型变革，那么了解数字化转型失败的 10 个最常见原因以及您作为 IT 领导者可以从这些失败中学到什么是值得的。
1. 缺乏视力
数字化转型失败的一个常见原因是缺乏远见，而远见与规划一起是数字化成功的基础。如果不清楚地了解他们的数字化转型应该实现什么，公司很容易迷失在杂草中。IT 领导者必须与业务领导层合作，帮助建立对数字化转型目标的清晰理解以及实现这些目标的实用路线图。
2. 抗拒改变
变革是艰难的，数字化转型需要很多。每一步都为员工提供了抵制新技术或流程的机会，即使是最优秀的设计和执行的数字化转型工作也会脱轨。
业务流程的重新构想是数字化转型的核心，因此，根据定义，数字化转型挑战现状，将我们一直这样做的情绪抛在脑后。因此，IT 领导者必须采取积极主动的变革管理方法，传达数字化转型的好处，并为员工提供支持和培训。
麦肯锡的一项研究发现，在数字化转型中优先考虑文化因素的公司成功的可能性是那些只专注于技术的公司四倍。员工的支持至关重要，需要他们尽早并经常参与转型过程。
3. 缺乏跨职能协作
数字化转型需要所有业务职能部门的强大领导和支持。为了取得成功，公司高管必须任命一位负责公司转型工作的领导者，他能够支持该计划，推动所有职能部门的支持，并提供指导和支持。
虽然通常这个领导者来自技术或数字部门，但如果没有多个部门和利益相关者的参与，数字化转型就无法成功。这些利益相关者之间缺乏协作可能会导致失败。变革型领导者必须确保每个人都在同一页面上，并且在整个数字化转型过程中进行有效的沟通和协作。跨职能部门的支持和协作将打破孤岛并带来更好的结果。
4. 执行力差
如果执行不力，即使是最好的计划也会失败。变革型领导者必须确保其组织拥有有效执行其数字化转型计划的资源和专业知识。这可能需要聘请外部专家和/或投资于现有员工的培训和发展。
5. 预算不足
数字化转型可能代价高昂，没有为该计划分配足够预算的执行领导团队可能难以取得成功。对数字化转型的成本要切合实际，并分配足够的人力资本和财务资本来实现您的目标。
6. 缺乏人才
人才是组织唯一的差异化因素。数字化转型是关于设想新的经营方式、重新构想业务流程、转变业务/系统架构以及改变组织的文化。它需要不同的思维方式，以及一支敏捷、随时准备尝试、精通变革的员工队伍。许多组织缺乏成功实现数字化转型所需的技能和知识。雇用熟练人员或为现有员工提供培训对于成功转型至关重要。
7. 技术整合挑战
数字化转型通常涉及新技术与现有系统的集成，这可能是一个挑战。变革型领导者必须确保他们的组织拥有有效集成新技术的专业知识，并在上线之前进行彻底的测试和故障排除。如果无法使技术功能与业务目标保持一致，可能会导致对不支持业务目标的技术投资浪费。
8. 数据管理和治理不足
数据是数字化转型的核心，没有足够数据管理流程的公司可能会陷入困境。变革型领导者必须确保他们的组织拥有正确的系统和流程来有效地收集、存储和分析数据。确保数据质量、隐私和安全至关重要。
9. 思维短浅，缺乏敏捷性
数字化转型是一个长期的过程，短期思维可能会破坏整个努力。领导者需要有耐心，并有长远的眼光，以确保数字化转型的成功。
数字化转型需要敏捷性和灵活性。适应不断变化的环境或新技术的速度较慢的公司可能会陷入困境。公司应该对变革持开放态度，并愿意根据需要进行调整，以确保其数字化转型计划保持在正轨上。数字化转型不是一次性事件，而是一个持续的过程。未能改进和迭代转型工作可能会导致技术和流程过时，无法满足不断变化的业务需求。
10. 忽视客户需求
数字化转型归根结底是为了改善客户体验，不关注客户的公司很可能会失败。变革型领导者应确保其组织深入了解客户需求，并确保其数字化转型计划在设计时以客户为中心。
正确地做数字化
数字化转型可能是一个具有挑战性但回报丰厚的过程。避免上述常见陷阱并专注于其目标和客户的公司更有可能在数字化转型工作中取得成功，这些工作从高层开始，高管和高级领导者全心全意地致力于投资新功能、调整资源，并以新的方式共同努力，以实现共同目标并培养团结文化。通过正确的领导力、愿景、执行力和协作，数字化转型可以成为推动增长和创新的有力工具。
以下是 IT 领导者可以做的五件事，以确保他们的数字化转型工作取得成功。
（1）制定明确的战略：一个明确的战略，概述目标和目的、时间表和所需的资源，对于数字化转型的成功至关重要。领导者必须明确定义他们希望通过数字化转型实现的目标以及他们计划如何实现。
（2）培养创新文化：数字化转型需要创新和实验，因此需要一种拥抱新技术和新想法的文化。IT 领导者有助于促进组织思维方式的转变，使其愿意承担风险并从失败中吸取教训。
（3）投资人才：数字化转型需要一支在技术、数据分析和项目管理方面具有专业知识的熟练员工队伍。企业需要投资于培训和发展计划，以提高员工在关键数字技能方面的技能，并吸引顶尖人才。
（4）关注客户体验：客户体验应是任何数字化转型计划的核心。领导者必须了解客户的需求和偏好，并设计满足这些需求的解决方案。
（5）衡量和监控进度：数字化转型是一个持续的过程，组织需要衡量和监控其进展，以确保他们走上实现目标的轨道。这包括设置指标和 KPI，并定期审查它们以确定需要改进的领域。
通过遵循这些关键原则，IT 领导者可以帮助其组织克服数字化转型的挑战，并从更敏捷、更高效和以客户为中心的业务模式中获益。
英文原文：
10 digital transformation roadblocks — and 5 tips for overcoming them
Aspiring transformational leaders can learn a lot from what most often derails digital success. Here’s a roundup of challenges you’ll want to anticipate and ways to help prepare your organization for the journey ahead.
In today’s fast-paced business world, companies are striving to harness the power of digital technologies to reinvent their operations, enhance customer experiences, drive innovation, and thereby create value for stakeholders. But the hard truth is that many digital initiatives fail to deliver results.
Transformation efforts can be derailed for any number of reasons, but there are several common themes as to why digital initiatives fall short — and most revolve around leadership. So if you are seeking to lead transformational change at your organization, it’s worth knowing the 10 most common reasons why digital transformation fails and what you as an IT leader can learn from those failures.
1. Lack of vision
A common reason digital transformation fails is due to a lack of vision, which along with planning is the foundation for digital success. Without a clear understanding of what their digital transformation should achieve, it’s easy for companies to get lost in the weeds. IT leaders must work with business leadership to help establish a clear understanding of digital transformation goals and a practical roadmap for achieving them.
2. Resistance to change
Change is hard, and digital transformation requires a lot of it. Every step of the way provides an opportunity for employees to resist new technologies or processes, which can derail even the most well design and executed digital transformation efforts.
Reimagination of business processes sits at the core of digital transformation, and so, by definition, digital transformation challenges the status quo, throwing we-have-always-done-it-this-way sentiment out of the window. Because of this, IT leaders must take a proactive approach to change management, communicating the benefits of digital transformation and providing support and training to employees.
A study by McKinsey found that companies that prioritized cultural factors in digital transformations were four times more likely to succeed than those that focused on technology alone. Employee buy-in is crucial and requires involving them in the transformation process early and often.
3. Lack of cross-functional collaboration
Digital transformation requires strong leadership and support from all business functions. To succeed, company executives must appoint a leader who is in charge of the company’s transformation efforts and who can champion the initiative, drive all functional buy-ins, and provide guidance and support.
While typically this leader will come from technology or digital divisions, digital transformation cannot succeed without the involvement of multiple departments and stakeholders. A lack of collaboration among these stakeholders can lead to failure. Transformational leaders must ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there is effective communication and collaboration throughout the digital transformation process. Cross-functional buy-in and collaboration will break down silos and lead to better outcomes.
4. Poor execution
Even the best plans can fail if execution is poor. Transformational leaders must ensure their organization has the resources and expertise to execute its digital transformation plans effectively. This may require hiring outside experts and/or investing in training and development for existing staff.
5. Insufficient budget
Digital transformation can be expensive, and executive leadership teams that do not allocate enough budget to the initiative may struggle to succeed. Be realistic about the costs of digital transformation and allocate sufficient human capital and financial capital to achieve your goals.
6. Lack of talent
Talent is the only differentiating factor an organization has. Digital transformation is about envisioning new ways of doing business, reimagining business processes, transforming business/systems architecture, and changing an organization’s culture. It requires a different mindset, as well as an agile, ready-to-experiment workforce that is change-savvy. Many organizations lack the skills and knowledge necessary for successful digital transformation. Hiring skilled personnel or providing training for existing employees is essential for successful transformation.
7. Technology integration challenges
Digital transformation often involves the integration of new technologies with existing systems, which can be a challenge. Transformational leaders must ensure their organizations have the expertise to integrate new technologies effectively and the follow-through to test and troubleshoot thoroughly before going live. Failure to align technology capabilities with business goals can result in a wasted investment in technology that doesn’t support business objectives.
8. Inadequate data management and governance
Data is at the heart of digital transformation, and companies that don’t have adequate data management processes in place are likely to struggle. Transformational leaders must ensure their organizations have the right systems and processes in place to collect, store, and analyze data effectively. Ensuring data quality, privacy, and security is essential.
9. Short-term thinking and lack of agility
Digital transformation is a long-term process, and a short-term mindset can derail the entire effort. Leaders need to be patient and have a long-term perspective to ensure digital transformation succeeds.
Digital transformation requires agility and flexibility. Companies that are slow to adapt to changing circumstances or new technologies are likely to struggle. Companies should be open to change and willing to pivot as needed to ensure that their digital transformation initiatives stay on track. Digital transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process. Failing to improve and iterate the transformation effort can result in outdated technology and processes that fail to meet evolving business needs.
10. Overlooking customer needs
Digital transformation is ultimately about improving the customer experience, and companies that don’t focus on their customers are likely to fail. Transformational leaders should ensure that their organizations have a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and that their digital transformation initiatives are designed with the customer in mind.
Doing digital right
Digital transformation can be a challenging but rewarding process. Companies that avoid the above common pitfalls and stay focused on their goals and their customers are more likely to succeed in their digital transformation efforts, which start at the top with executives and senior leaders committing wholeheartedly to investing in new capabilities, aligning resources, and working together in new ways to achieve shared goals and foster a culture of unity. With the right leadership, vision, execution, and collaboration, digital transformation can be a powerful tool for driving growth and innovation.
Here are five things IT leaders can do to ensure their digital transformation efforts are successful.
- Develop a clear strategy: A clear strategy that outlines goals and objectives, timelines, and resources required is essential for digital transformation success. Leaders must clearly define what they want to achieve through digital transformation and how they plan to do it.
- Foster a culture of innovation: Digital transformation requires innovation and experimentation, and thus a culture for embracing new technologies and ideas. IT leaders help facilitate a shift in organizational mindset toward a willingness to take risks and learn from failures.
- Invest in talent: Digital transformation requires a skilled workforce with expertise in technology, data analysis, and project management. Organizations need to invest in training and development programs to upskill their employees in key digital skills and to attract top talent.
- Focus on customer experience: Customer experience should be at the center of any digital transformation initiative. Leaders must understand their customers’ needs and preferences and design solutions that meet those needs.
- Measure and monitor progress: Digital transformation is an ongoing process, and organizations need to measure and monitor their progress to ensure they are on track to achieving their goals. This involves setting up metrics and KPIs and regularly reviewing them to identify areas for improvement.
By following these key principles, IT leaders can help their organizations overcome the challenges of digital transformation and reap the benefits of a more agile, efficient, and customer-centric business model.
