A staggering number of technology projects fail to deliver on their promise, and it's rarely the technology's fault. The true cause is a rush to implement without a clear, user-centric strategy. This post reveals how a strategy-first approach, like our Digit Concept methodology, can be the critical difference between a successful, high-adoption rollout and a costly write-off. We'll show you a real-world example where our approach led to success in 6 months, while a parallel project in the same company failed after 18 months.
If you're about to invest a significant amount of capital and time into a new CRM, ERP, or other digital transformation project, there's a sobering statistic you need to know. According to studies frequently cited by firms like McKinsey, upwards of 70% of large-scale digital transformations fail to reach their stated goals.
This isn't a secret; publications like Forbes and Harvard Business Review regularly discuss this challenge. The failure isn't in the software - it’s in the strategy.
Too many projects start with the technology, forcing teams to adapt to a tool they don't understand and that doesn't fit their workflow. The result is low user adoption, unmet objectives, and a massive waste of resources.
We recently saw a perfect A/B test of this scenario unfold within a single, large media company.
This media company, with over 3,000 employees, has distinct consumer and business divisions.
The consumer division began a large-scale Salesforce implementation. They focused heavily on the technical aspects but neglected to build a foundational strategy that included deep user involvement and process mapping. After 18 long months, the project was declared a failure and shut down.
At the same time, the company's business division was tasked with its own Salesforce rollout. Aware of the struggles in the other department, they knew they needed a different approach. They engaged us to lead with our Digit Concept service.
Instead of talking about code and features, we started by talking about people and processes. Our Digit Concept methodology is a rigorous framework designed to de-risk technology projects by ensuring they are perfectly aligned with business goals and user needs from day one.
Our work included:
Armed with this strategic blueprint - a detailed backlog of user requirements, validated workflows, and a fully aligned team - the Salesforce implementation specialists could execute their work with precision and purpose.
While the other division's 18-month project was being written off, the business unit we partnered with successfully launched their fully-customised Salesforce platform in just six months.
Adoption was high, the objectives were met, and the tool immediately began delivering value. The difference was not the technology; it was the strategy that guided it.
Before you write the first line of code or sign a massive software contract, you must have a blueprint for success. Technology is a powerful tool, but it's only as effective as the strategy that wields it.
Are you planning a major technology project? Don't leave its success to chance. Contact us to learn more about how our Digit Concept service can provide the strategic foundation you need to guarantee your project's success.
