A digital transformation framework: part two

Key takeaways

Transformation projects fail because they don’t start with a clear strategy, and more importantly a clear plan to deliver success
Success comes from articulating a clear strategy that is delivered in sprints with agility and innovation
To move to a more integrated and agile state, you want to drive a simplification of systems, unify your data and create repeatable processes

To conclude this two-part series, Ellucian’s Vice President of Digital Transformation, Richard Forrest, discusses how agility and innovation are crucial components of Ellucian’s digital transformation framework.

As discussed in part one of this series, technology plays a significant role in an institution’s digital strategy; however, we often see that the initial instinct is to invest in technology to promote efficiency and success. A far better approach is to understand how your enterprise needs to change, and then map the technology to this pursuit.

Once the COVID dust begins to settle, staff will need to be able to work in flexible ways—with more remote access—to maintain a consistent and responsive service for students. Success starts with articulating a clear strategy that is then delivered in sprints with agility and innovation. This strategy should arise from focusing on the simplification of your enterprise.

Invest in agility and innovation

At the University of Greenwich, standardisation of systems, better sharing of data and simple processes were the driving principles of their digital strategy. Prior to the pandemic, the university developed a strategic foundation based on long-term growth and sustainability. This initiative was then put to the test during the outset of the pandemic when the university was able to easily shift their delivery model by offering services remotely at an accelerated pace.

During our webinar with the University of Greenwich’s head of IT infrastructure, Mehmet Batmaz, he explained,

The important point to take is that over the course of this strategy, we invested a great deal of time and money to ensure that those core capabilities of IT, those critical applications…that the university so heavily relied upon, are resilient, reliable, secure and scalable.

The bottom line is that there is no point in talking digital transformation or trying to get management on board with the idea if we keep getting network outages or if email doesn't work. So, having that solid and proper operational core front was crucial.

With strategic investments aimed at simplification, the university transformed from a very disjointed, siloed operating model, to one that fully embraces standardisation and consistency. Now, the university’s IT team is a strategic asset to the organisation, and they can plan, innovate and move forward together as a business.

To move from a traditional format to a more integrated and agile state, you want to foster a simplification of systems, unify data and create repeatable processes. Consider again the example used in part one depicting one institution relying on six different CRM systems. This scenario, which isn’t uncommon, proves very difficult for an institution to implement progressive change.

Digital is about creating value at new frontiers, creating value in core business and building foundational capabilities.
What 'digital' really means, McKinsey & Company

Imagine how much faster decisions can be made if there is one common language across every department. If an institution is solely focused on survival, upgrading software, and maintaining servers—is that really generating value and preparing for the future?

Recognising success

Transformation projects fail because they don’t start with a clear strategy, and more importantly, a clear plan to deliver success. Take a step back and think about what processes and services can be simplified, and institutions will realise the value that a business capabilities approach can bring to their digital transformation strategy.

By clearly linking your strategy to the business capabilities that will deliver it—and similarly the business services that realise those capabilities—your institution will be able to stay on course for success and become well-prepared to address future disruption.

Ellucian's digital transformation framework offers:

Rapid realisation of investment – by targeting the right business needs
Driven by business requirements – supported by technology
Reduce risk with an agile capability approach – avoid a monolithic waterfall implementation