Things That Matter Vs. Things You Can Control
Digital transformation is not one-size-fits-all. Every organization—down to each department—has to determine its unique priorities. The key to success lies in focusing efforts where the things that matter intersect with the things you can control. This sweet spot is where you will have the most significant impact, achieve the best alignment with broader goals, and create the greatest ease of implementation.
The guiding principle of digital transformation is simple: focus on what you can control that also truly matters. However, this is easier said than done, as it’s common to get distracted by other factors along the way.
Examples of Things You Can Control But Might Not Matter:
Adjusting meeting schedules to optimize work hours – While this is controllable, its impact on broader transformation efforts is limited.
Tweaking minor workflow steps – Small adjustments are within your control but often have negligible impact on strategic objectives.
Regular software updates – These are important for IT hygiene but don’t necessarily drive transformative change.
Examples of Things That Matter But Are Hard to Control:
Global economic shifts – These may significantly affect your business but are outside your direct control.
Industry-wide regulations – They matter a lot and influence strategy but must be responded to rather than controlled.
Rapid technological advancements – While they shape the future of your industry, you can’t dictate their pace or direction.
The goal of digital transformation is to focus on the intersection where what you can control aligns with what truly matters. This approach drives sustainable, impactful change.
Core Areas to Focus On
Here’s a longer, consolidated list of areas that often represent this intersection:
Make data accessible and actionable.
Break down data silos.
Find the right partners and vendors for implementation.
Connect digital strategy directly to execution plans.
Create a centralized Digital Center of Excellence (CoE).
Engage customers through new digital channels and personalized experiences.
Enhance innovation by fostering a culture of experimentation and rapid iteration.
Explore and develop new business models, such as digital services or subscription-based models.
Upskill and reskill the workforce for digital readiness.
Automate routine, tedious, or hazardous tasks to improve safety and efficiency.
Identify and implement effective collaborative technologies.
Develop core digital infrastructure that supports scalability and integration.
Build out a comprehensive digital thread to maintain continuity of data across product lifecycles.
Automate decision-making processes using AI tools.
Implement predictive maintenance to improve asset utilization and reduce downtime.
Integrate IoT for real-time visibility into operations and supply chains.
Optimize the user experience through a fully immersive and engaging 3D or VR/AR environment.
Develop a “digital-first” cultural mindset that prioritizes digital solutions over traditional ones.
Improve cybersecurity to protect new digital assets.
Refine customer data management for better insights and more personalized interactions.
Implement cloud-based solutions for greater agility and scalability.
Leverage digital twins to simulate and optimize production processes.
Focus on real-time analytics to drive faster, more informed decision-making.
Enhance supply chain resilience with AI-driven demand planning and supplier management.
Use low-code/no-code platforms to accelerate digital solution deployment.
Implement workflow automation tools to streamline processes.
Adopt blockchain for secure, transparent transactions and data integrity.
Focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) initiatives using digital solutions to track and improve sustainability efforts.
Create personalized employee experiences through digital tools and platforms.
Leverage AI to uncover hidden patterns and insights in large data sets.
Establish continuous feedback loops to measure the impact of digital initiatives.
Putting It All Together
The essence of digital transformation lies in focusing your resources and energy where you can make the most significant impact.
Identify what matters – Ask yourself: What strategic objectives or outcomes are critical to your business?
Pinpoint what you can control – What resources, technologies, and processes can you realistically manage or influence?
Then, prioritize initiatives that sit at this critical intersection. The focus is not merely about chasing shiny new technologies or following trends but driving meaningful progress toward a digitally empowered organization.
What are you currently focusing on in your digital transformation journey? Where do you see the biggest overlap between what matters and what you can control?
