Digital transformation: Getting executive buy-in on campus

This resource helps partners educate executive leaders on the necessity for digital transformation. It is part of our Digital Transformation Resource Center, where you can find additional resources and tools to help you drive transformational change.

As opportunities arise for innovations in the delivery and administration of teaching and learning and research, IT is positioned to enable digital innovation at scale across campus—but they cannot do it alone. In order to harness the potential of digital transformation, campus stakeholders must work together with IT leaders to prioritize digital change initiatives.

While communicating the importance of embracing technology to non-technical stakeholders is a growing challenge for IT leaders, it’s also an opportunity to gain support for a digital strategy that unites the institution’s various silos. Educated and invested campus partners are invaluable for implementing longer-term digital roadmaps and ensuring the sustainability of higher education in the digital age.

Digital transformation is the process of using digital tools—specifically data and technology—to deliver value and drive change. The emphasis is not on specific technologies but on the application of those technologies to core strategies or operational challenges. The rapid scaling and widespread adoption of the solution in turn creates a culture of continuous improvement and sets the stage for further transformation.

Use the plug-and-play board presentation to start digital transformation conversations at your institution. The resource includes a non-technical exploration of digital transformation, a compelling case for why it matters in higher education, and a call-to-arms for institutional peers on any campus.

Plug-and-Play Digital Transformation Presentation

This ready-made educational tool is for CIOs to engage non-technical stakeholders in mission-critical technology and digital transformation initiatives. The presentation includes scripting notes to support you in delivering the content, opportunities to edit slides so it’s most applicable to your unique campus needs, and opportunities for reflection and activities. Share this presentation with your peers and leadership team to achieve campus-wide engagement in digital strategy.

Digital Transformation Capabilities Worksheet

This worksheet accompanies the plug-and-play presentation above. It helps guide executive conversation about where your institution falls in terms of performance across eight core organisational and IT capabilities, required for digital transformation success. You can use this worksheet in three ways:

Complete the diagnostic on behalf of your campus before the presentation. Share your diagnostic results with attendees to kick-off prioritization conversations and highlight areas of strength, weakness, and opportunity.

Walk through each of the capabilities as a group during the presentation. Determine ratings for your campus’s level of performance for each statement based on general consensus. Use the results to guide next steps.

Give attendees 15 minutes to complete the diagnostic individually during the presentation. Facilitate a group discussion about the similarities and differences in ratings by each attendee. Make notes of major discrepancies in ratings for follow-up in future meetings.