This hub is home to EAB's digital transformation resources. Just getting started on this journey? Watch the video below to make sure you and your colleagues are on the same page when it comes to the buzzwords that can make digital transformation seem confusing. Then, scroll down to learn about, and access resources for, eight core capabilities that are essential for digital transformation success.
In response to consumer and environmental pressures amplified by a global pandemic, higher education institutions are rapidly embracing ‘digital transformation’. But, like many buzzwords, the term is only useful in the context of a shared definition. The video above introduces you to three common terms related to digital transformation, and provides definitions, and examples, for each.
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.
A digital strategy focuses on problem-solving innovations in service of the university mission. It should be rooted in business needs rather than the latest-and-greatest vendor pitches.
It is not an IT department strategy that has been renamed ‘digital’. While IT strategy is about infrastructure service, cybersecurity, and systems, digital strategy is about business, value, and the customer.
Digital transformation does not happen by itself; rather, it requires the development of concrete practices, infrastructure, and skills—collectively, capabilities—that create an environment in which transformation can flourish.
Specifically, digital transformation requires both organisational capabilities, which help drive cultural change, as well as IT capabilities, which ensure the technological infrastructure is equipped for transformation at scale.
The last of these, namely digital transformation capabilities, are needed to fully support a digital agenda. Senior leaders play an important role in working across campus to establish a shared understanding and identify problems (and opportunities) requiring digital solutions. IT units must be able to respond thoughtfully and partner effectively with different areas of the institution to design, implement, and monitor innovation initiatives.
Eight capabilities that are critical to the success of digital transformation efforts
Additional reading on digital transformation
Interested in discovering technology projects that will enable digital transformation on your campus?
Check-our our compendium, which is designed to help you identify trends in digital projects, engage in environmental scanning, and identify new opportunities for your own campus.
