Will "digitisation" solve all our issues?
The primary goal of digitisation is to increase efficiency, accuracy and accessibility by using digital technologies to automate and streamline processes. A big part of our lives is already digitised to some extent, as most of us use online shopping, e-commerce, online banking or similar services. Many businesses and organisations are still in the process of working out what digitisation means for them and the scope which best fits their organisation.
When digitising a process in your organisation, it is best to follow a set of guidelines as outlined below:
Understand the process
Before starting the digitisation process, it is essential to fully understand the existing analogue/manual process. This includes identifying the key steps involved, the inputs and outputs, and any pain points or inefficiencies that need to be addressed. Don't be afraid to identify and improve a process while designing a digital counterpart.
Define the goals
It's important to set clear goals for the digitisation process. These goals should be aligned with overall business objectives and be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
Choose the right technology
There are many different digital technologies available and it's important to choose the right one for your business. This may involve choosing the right software, hardware and tools to enable you to digitise the process effectively.
Prioritise security
Digital processes can be vulnerable to cyber threats, so it's important to prioritise security when digitising analogue processes. This includes implementing robust security measures such as firewalls, encryption and authentication protocols.
Consider the human element
While digital processes can automate many tasks, it's important to consider the human element in the process. This may involve training employees on the new digital processes, creating user-friendly interfaces, and ensuring that employees have the necessary skills to use the new digital tools effectively.
Test and refine
As with any new process, it's important to test and refine the digital process to ensure it works effectively. This may involve running pilot programmes, gathering feedback and making adjustments where necessary.
Bad input => bad output
It is important to remember that inefficient processes do not necessarily translate into an efficient digitised process and there are many factors that come into play, especially if there are legacy systems that are already managing part of the business digitally. This is where CSD will most likely be the only way forward.