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Three steps for manufacturers to start digital transformation

Using the power of up-to-date material for business success is becoming a major issue – and not just for companies that operate primarily in technology or Internet-oriented areas.

However, managers rightly ask how their organizations can achieve data-driven transformation. There are several checkpoints on the way. For example, firms in many industries, including manufacturing, tend to apply a methodical, process-oriented approach to implementing new technologies, and transformation conditions can take years to complete. It can also lead to the loss of a huge amount of time and money.

The most successful data-driven transformations are cost-effective, gradual and sustainable. They take three steps.

1) Use Quick Wins to learn and finance the process of data exchange

Instead of attempting radical and large-scale changes, successful companies start with short-term projects aimed at completing specific tasks – for example, improving the efficiency of the company’s resource planning.
These quick-impact projects not only teach important lessons, but also create new values for financing other transformation projects.

2) Develop a general corporate transformation

Then, using lessons from these short-term projects, a company can create a roadmap for a companywide transformation. This starts with coordinating some basic digital operations – analytics, data management and data infrastructure. At this stage, companies also work to industrialize their data and analytics.

3) Get organized for a stable operation

As with any change program, data transformation success is measured by sustainable results. To prepare an organization for a digital future, companies need to move in four directions: create new management roles and processes, instill a data-centric culture, adopt new ways of working and develop the necessary talents and skills.
Many managers are asking how their organizations can achieve a data-driven transformation. The good news is that this three-step model can help a company grow rapidly, achieve rapid success, and at the same time create a roadmap for transformation that will benefit from digitalization.