{"id":46085,"date":"2022-05-13T15:43:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T13:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/?p=46085"},"modified":"2025-10-07T11:43:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T09:43:46","slug":"change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Change Management: The Key to Successful Digital Transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The global COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for major shifts in recent years, and has drastically increased the importance of a critical business process: change management. It&#8217;s a key tool for companies that wish to future-proof their services, infrastructure, and relevance. Without it, time and resources are misallocated, and employee development may be sidelined.<sup>1<\/sup> Ultimately, it can even lead to company-wide failure if not done correctly \u2013 which is common, as half of all change initiatives fail and only 34% are considered a success.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An area that sees perhaps the greatest demand for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/organisational-change-management-why-human-resources-takes-centre-stage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">organizational change management<\/a> is digital transformation, which harnesses technology to create new or optimize existing processes, culture, and customer experiences.<sup>3<\/sup> COVID-19 has drastically increased the need for technology within business and digital transformation \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/northwestern-university-strategic-change-management-online-short-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strategic change management<\/a> is the key to unlocking the effectiveness of both. This is mostly due to the rise in remote working and flexible workplaces, but it\u2019s also because companies are increasingly leveraging digital tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain. Global spending on digital transformation is forecast to reach $2.8 trillion in 2025, more than double the amount allocated at the start of the decade.<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digital transformation is no longer an afterthought of implementing business technology \u2013 it&#8217;s the first step. It\u2019s a necessary tool for survival in a worst-case scenario, and a source of profit-yielding innovation in the best case. And change management is your secret to digital success. For a brighter, more connected future, leaders will require a bespoke strategy that merges digital with change \u2013 and is informed by technology, process workflows and, crucially, people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GetSmarter recently surveyed 5,808 professionals from 128 countries to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/what-digital-transformation-means-and-how-it-impacts-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">examine what digital transformation means<\/a> for your career<\/strong>. The research highlights a critical incentive for undertaking digital transformation: <strong>it can ignite the ability and resilience of organizations <em>and<\/em> individuals. It reveals that human capital offers both the biggest challenge and the greatest solution to digitally transforming the workplace<\/strong>. The innovation needed can\u2019t be defined solely in technological terms; it <em>has<\/em> to be human-centered. Resistance to change is one of the main reasons 68% of digital transformations fall short of their goals.<sup>5<\/sup> To avoid this pitfall, an effective change management strategy is vital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To successfully roll out these change management processes for true digital transformation in your business, you\u2019ll need to <strong>approach it in an intelligent, behavior-centered way<\/strong>.<sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by considering these five Ws:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why is there a need for digital transformation?<\/li>\n<li>What do you need in technology, processes, and management?<\/li>\n<li>Who is responsible for the execution of the plan?<\/li>\n<li>When will the changes take place, and what are the milestones?<\/li>\n<li>Where will these changes occur?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-we-need-digital-transformation\"><em>Why<\/em> do we need digital transformation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The meteoric rise in online interactions has had a knock-on effect for all industries. Pandemic-induced global lockdowns caused a spectacular growth in remote working, AI, cloud services, online commerce, the Internet of Things (IoT), Software as a Service (SaaS), and new digital tools. Today, savvy organizations are harnessing these technologies to increase customer <em>and<\/em> employee satisfaction and enable higher-quality user experiences.<sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses are being forced to play digital catch-up, and most aren\u2019t succeeding. GetSmarter\u2019s 2022 research reveals that <strong>66% of professionals say a significant amount of disruption<\/strong> has already occurred in their industry in the past year, but only <strong>40% feel their company is currently doing enough to respond<\/strong>. Crucially, the results also indicate that the next two years will still be further disrupted by emerging technologies and COVID-19, ramping up the need for digital transformation across all industries.<\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-02.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-02.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p>To understand <em>why<\/em> we need digital transformation is also to define exactly <em>what<\/em> it is. The research uncovers 19 different interpretations instead of one accepted standard, emphasizing a lack of shared understanding. To add to this uncertainty, it reveals that digital transformation also regularly gets confused with digitization and digitalization. Digital transformation goes beyond these <em>single<\/em> processes.<sup>8<\/sup> <strong>It\u2019s an integrated approach that leverages advanced technologies while harnessing human capital through change management to make business better \u2013 for employees and customers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-1-1-10.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-1-1-11.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p>Companies that are effectively transforming digitally earn plenty of benefits. More than 75% of transformation initiatives yielded cost reductions and improved the employee experience. Additionally, two-thirds of respondents said that the efforts increased revenue from both existing and new revenue streams.<sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GetSmarter research shows that this isn\u2019t restricted to business benefits. By adopting a digital transformation within job roles and careers, success is future-proofed across all three areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-technologies-processes-and-management-are-needed\"><em>What<\/em> technologies, processes, and management are needed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no one-size-fits-all solution: businesses require a unique change management plan that\u2019s founded on a long-term view and a shared vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the professionals surveyed in the GetSmarter research, 35% believe digital transformation is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/3-ways-to-build-digital-into-your-business-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">people-centric change<\/a>, and 32% think it\u2019s a tech-driven change. The truth lies in the middle, as a <strong>successful digital transformation requires both<\/strong>, and needs to be integrated into a customized, integrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/5-key-elements-of-a-successful-digital-transformation-framework\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">change management strategy<\/a>. This should be founded on a long-term view of a company\u2019s role in the digital future within its specific industry. Then short-term \u2018stepping stones\u2019 are added, which are rooted in realistic management timelines.<sup>10<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GetSmarter survey results show the <strong>pressure of transformation is felt the most in terms of integration into systems and processes, strategy and leadership, and data collection and analysis<\/strong>. These need to be key areas of focus when undergoing change and transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-03.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-04.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p>Your digital transformation strategy needs to educate, align, and motivate employees with a unique vision of success \u2013 this is going to be different for every business. <strong>It starts with defining clear objectives and your management plan before any investment takes place<\/strong>.<sup>11<\/sup> Less digitally mature companies tend to focus on specific technologies and use them to improve general operations, while more mature organizations create digital strategies with the intention of transforming their business entirely.<sup>12<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before technologies, processes, and management can be decided, you&#8217;ll need to ask yourself what you want to achieve through technology and transformation. Your answer will dictate what tech you implement, the ways you do it, and who manages it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-is-responsible-for-digital-transformation\"><em>Who<\/em> is responsible for digital transformation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where the success of digital transformation is decided. A few key employees will be responsible for carrying out the plans, but <em>all<\/em> employees need to be aligned, motivated, and ready to contribute meaningfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In GetSmarter\u2019s survey, <strong>35% of respondents said they\u2019re uncomfortable with changes that have occurred recently<\/strong>, but most are not resistant when it comes to change. This implies that employees accept that change is inevitable and a part of work, but may be struggling to implement and transition. Change management is built to address these transformation obstacles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A change management program focused on tackling these human barriers needs to be run in parallel to any digital transformation program \u2013 from the very beginning. <strong>Organizations need to respond uniquely to each employee\u2019s level of resistance to change as digital transformation affects each individual differently.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digital transformation requires authentic buy-in from <em>all<\/em> employees and a concerted effort to break down the resistance to change through a shift in attitudes and skill sets. You need a culture of innovation, and that\u2019s where change management can shine. Its goal is to create confident, positive, and prepared stakeholders with the skills and commitment to ensure new initiatives succeed.<sup>13<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the involvement of the CEO and other top leadership figures is vital in creating a vision for the company and scaling effectively, a solely top-down strategy is less likely to drive sustainable change.<sup>14<\/sup> For this to work, it has to be a joint effort that\u2019s championed by several key decision makers across the whole organization, from the CEO and chief digital officer through to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/lse-digital-transformation-in-hr-online-certificate-course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">human resources<\/a> and staff within each department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Organizations that seek transformation frequently recruit outside consultants who tend to apply one-size-fits-all solutions in the name of \u2018best practice\u2019. A better option is to rely instead on your own people \u2013 skilled staff who have intimate knowledge about what works and what doesn\u2019t in their daily operations. <strong>Assembling the right team of technology, data, and process people who can work together \u2013 with a leadership team who can bring about change \u2013 may be the single most important step that a company contemplating digital transformation can take.<\/strong><sup>15<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Success requires <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/university-of-toronto-organizational-leadership-online-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">strong leadership<\/a>. The GetSmarter survey results show that the three skills that\u2019ll have the greatest positive change in usefulness in the next three years are <strong>strategic planning, cultural intelligence, and change management<\/strong>. Leaders have to prioritize their ability to plan strategically for the future, as well as their ability to embrace diversity and navigate uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-07.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-08.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-will-the-changes-take-place\"><em>When<\/em> will the changes take place?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The timing of change depends on the unique demands of your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products\/imd-developing-digital-transformation-strategies-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">digital transformation strategy<\/a>. First, your team will need to analyze your business needs and to define your objectives. Start with your end goals, then develop the sequence of steps best suited to achieving them. Digital transformation should be focused on problems of greatest need to the company, and those priorities will inform the talent (and resources) required.<sup>16<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help further define your strategy, you need to understand where your industry is heading and <em>what<\/em> the biggest challenges to digital transformation are, and then to ask yourself the following questions:<sup>17<\/sup><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Why are you investing in digital transformation?<\/li>\n<li>What is your priority?<\/li>\n<li>How will you measure success?<\/li>\n<li>What is your starting point?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-12.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-13.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<p>From there, it\u2019s up to leadership to create a coherent digital transformation strategy with long-term goals and short-term milestones. Technology is advancing at an ever-faster pace, and it means there is no real finish line: this requires more agility and adaptation on behalf of everyone.<sup>18<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve outlined your digital transformation strategy, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/how-to-build-digital-into-your-business-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">three main stages<\/a> in implementation:<sup>19<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n            <!-- Responsive picture tag -->\n        <picture class=\"picture-block\">\n            <source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-05.png\" >\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered-06.png\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-will-the-changes-occur\"><em>Where<\/em> will the changes occur?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally, they should occur in every department, but the proportion of change across your business will depend on the business needs and strategy you defined from the previous step. Digital transformation involves rethinking how an organization uses technology and how these technologies interact with processes across every area of the business. Success requires bringing together and coordinating a great range of effort. It calls for vision, roadmaps, process development, training, trial and error, and enormous amounts of time and energy.<sup>20<\/sup> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/meet-tim-corey-student-success-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leaders<\/a> have to effectively convey the need for change and explain to <em>all<\/em> employees where and how it\u2019ll impact the workplace. It\u2019s only when the strategy, employees, and digital tools are fully aligned that the full potential of the transformation can be unlocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our world is transforming at a faster pace than ever before, and leaders need to dial in their companies digitally to future-proof their organization\u2019s success, along with their careers. Digital transformation plans can revolutionize the way you do business and your skill set, but it requires bespoke change management plans and smart <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/products?scope[for_search]=digital%20transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">upskilling<\/a>. By taking this digital leap, you can unlock benefits for your business, career, employees and, of course, your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn how to transform both your business and your career by taking a deeper dive into GetSmarter\u2019s latest digital transformation research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/subject-matter\/digital-transformation-and-disruptive-technology\" style=\"background-color:#e51470\">Choose your digital transformation course today<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n&nbsp;\n<div id=\"accordion\">\n<div class=\"card\">\n<div id=\"headingOne\" class=\"card-header\">\n<h6 class=\"mb-0\"><button class=\"btn\" style=\"background-color: transparent;\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#sources\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"sources\"> <strong>Click here to view sources<\/strong> <\/button><\/h6>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"sources\" class=\"collapse\" aria-labelledby=\"headingOne\" data-parent=\"#accordion\">\n<div class=\"card-body\">\n<ul class=\"mx-0\" style=\"list-style: none;\">\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>1<\/sup> (Nov, 2021). \u2018Change Management: What it is and why it&#8217;s important.\u2019 Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career-advice\/career-development\/change-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> indeed<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>2<\/sup> (Nd). \u2018Managing organizational change\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gartner.com\/en\/human-resources\/insights\/organizational-change-management\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Gartner<\/a>. Accessed 28 April 2022.<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>3<\/sup> (Nd). \u2018What is digital transformation?\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/eu\/products\/platform\/what-is-digital-transformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Salesforce<\/a>. Accessed 28 April 2022.<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>4<\/sup> (Nov, 2021). \u2018New IDC spending guide shows continued growth for digital transformation as organizations focus on strategic priorities\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.idc.com\/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS48372321\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> IDC<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>5<\/sup> (May, 2021). \u201868% of enterprises fail to achieve desired ROI on digital transformation, and most cite change resistance as key obstacle | Press release\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everestgrp.com\/2021-05-https-www-everestgrp-com-2021-05-68-of-enterprises-fail-to-achieve-desired-roi-on-digital-transformation-and-most-cite-change-resistance-as-key-obstacle-press-release-html-.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Everest Group<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>6<\/sup> Quinlan, L. et al. (Jan, 2022). \u2018Strategies of change\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcg.com\/publications\/2022\/change-strategies-for-your-organization\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> BCG<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>7<\/sup> (Nd). \u2018The benefits of digital transformation\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/cpl.thalesgroup.com\/software-monetization\/benefits-of-digital-transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Thales<\/a>. Accessed 28 April 2022.<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>8<\/sup>  Mistry, M. (Nov, 2021). \u2018Three concepts to embrace for effective digitally driven innovation\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cio.com\/article\/189639\/three-concepts-to-embrace-for-effective-digitally-driven-innovation.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> CIO<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>9<\/sup> Dhasarathy, A. et al. (Mar, 2021). \u2018Seven lessons on how technology transformations can deliver value\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/business-functions\/mckinsey-digital\/our-insights\/seven-lessons-on-how-technology-transformations-can-deliver-value\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> McKinsey Digital<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>10<\/sup> (Apr, 2022). \u2018How to build digital into your business strategy\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/how-to-build-digital-into-your-business-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> GetSmarter<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>11<\/sup> Mueller, B. (Apr, 2022). \u2018How to map out your digital transformation\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2022\/04\/how-to-map-out-your-digital-transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Harvard Business Review<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>12<\/sup> Gurumurthy, R., et al. (Apr, 2021). \u2018Putting digital at the heart of strategy\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.deloitte.com\/us\/en\/insights\/topics\/digital-transformation\/digital-acceleration-in-a-changing-world.html?id=us:2el:3dp:wsjspon:awa:WSJCIO:2022:WSJFY22\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Deloitte<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>13<\/sup>  Hollister, R. et al. (Aug, 2021). \u2018Why every executive should be focusing on culture change now\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/sloanreview.mit.edu\/article\/why-every-executive-should-be-focusing-on-culture-change-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> MIT Sloan Management Review<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>14<\/sup> London, L. et al. (Sep, 2021). \u2018How many people are really needed in a transformation?\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/business-functions\/transformation\/our-insights\/how-many-people-are-really-needed-in-a-transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> McKinsey<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>15<\/sup> Walters, A. (Jul, 2021). \u2018How to navigate the people side of digital transformation\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ey.com\/en_uk\/workforce\/how-to-navigate-the-people-side-of-digital-transformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> EY<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>16<\/sup>  Arbeeny, S. (Nov, 2021). \u2018Why digital transformation must start with a clear, defined mission statement\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbestechcouncil\/2021\/11\/17\/why-digital-transformation-must-start-with-a-clear-defined-mission-statement\/?sh=1194efa951fd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Forbes<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>17<\/sup> (Nd). \u20189 Critical success factors needed for successful digital transformation\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hso.com\/en-gb\/blog\/9-critical-success-factors-needed-for-successful-digital-transformation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> HSO<\/a>. Accessed 28 April 2022.<\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>18<\/sup> Misra, S. (Sep, 2021). \u2018Why successful digital transformation requires speed and agility over a long period of time\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inc.com\/sarvarth-misra\/why-successful-digital-transformation-requires-speed-agility-over-a-long-period-of-time.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> IncAfrica<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>19<\/sup>  (Apr, 2022). \u2018How to build digital into your business strategy\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/how-to-build-digital-into-your-business-strategy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> GetSmarter<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<li class=\"mb-4\"><sup>20<\/sup> (Sep, 2021). Digital transformation spending is up to $700B per year, but results lag\u2019. Retrieved from <a href=\"https:\/\/venturebeat.com\/2021\/09\/26\/digital-transformation-spending-is-up-to-700b-per-year-but-results-lag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> VentureBeat<\/a>. <\/li>\n\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The global COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for major shifts in recent years, and has drastically increased the importance of a critical business process: change management. It&#8217;s a key tool for companies that wish to future-proof their services, infrastructure, and relevance. Without it, time and resources are misallocated, and employee development may be sidelined.1 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":46094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[122],"article-format":[],"class_list":["post-46085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-advice","tag-business-management"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Change Management: The Key to Successful Digital Transformation | Business &amp; Management | GetSmarter Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Manage the change that digital transformation brings to the workplace by implementing the change management steps needed when considering digital transformation in a workplace.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Change Management: The Key to Successful Digital Transformation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Manage the change that digital transformation brings to the workplace by implementing the change management steps needed when considering digital transformation in a workplace.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"GetSmarter Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-05-13T13:43:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-07T09:43:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.getsmarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nicolaas Hendrikse\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"GetSmarter Staff\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Nicolaas Hendrikse\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/54df9ae2cf979a5ab84055df76f7a0c6\"},\"headline\":\"Change Management: The Key to Successful Digital Transformation\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-05-13T13:43:09+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-07T09:43:46+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2159,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/change-management-the-key-to-successful-digital-transformation\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.getsmarter.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/05\\\/DIGITAL-TRANSFORMATION-REPORT-VISUALS-1-Recovered.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Business &amp; 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