FEATURE : COMMUNICATION
team , be clear on how things like appraisals and backfill will work .
Balancing technical communication with business priorities is crucial for CIOs to gain executive support for technology-based initiatives . This should include :
• Demonstrating the alignment to the business objective and goals , showing how digital investment will enable business value .
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN STEERING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED .
• Adapting messaging for different audiences . While non-technical messaging is obvious for executives , tailoring this messaging to individual executives ( e . g . financial metrics or customer impact ) helps address specific concerns and interests .
• Showing quick wins and incremental improvements is important in today ’ s agile world in order to achieve early buy-in and build momentum towards longer-term goals .
Roland Carandang , Managing Director and UK
Technology Consulting Leader at Protiviti UK
The final type of communication involves how progress will be reported and support provided . Too often , projects remain in an undefined ‘ discovery ’ state or shift rapidly from green to red . Effective communication here can give team members the confidence to report accurately . Practically , some organisations have been successful codifying status reporting . Others have taken subjective status reporting out of the hands of the project manager and into architecture .
One of the most significant but underappreciated challenges is driving a Digital Transformation in a complex technology environment that is poorly understood . Leaders should seize this transformation opportunity to capture the environment meaningfully and sustainably . This approach avoids risking the existing business for the sake of the target business .
How can technology tools improve communication and visibility during transformation projects ?
Enabling technology plays a crucial role in facilitating effective communication during a Digital Transformation . A mix of workplace social platforms and regular updates from executive leadership , both electronically and in person , can keep everyone informed and engaged .
Effective communication is key to successfully managing and delivering Digital Transformation projects . By clearly communicating the vision , the components of the transformation , the delivery method , and the progress reporting and support mechanisms , businesses can ensure that everyone is on board and working towards the same goal . Enabling technology can further support these communication efforts , helping to drive the transformation forward .
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