How can you transform your strategy with digital tools?

1 Assess your needs and gaps

Before you jump into using any digital tool, you need to have a clear understanding of your strategic objectives, challenges, and opportunities. What are the key questions you want to answer, the problems you want to solve, and the results you want to achieve? What are the current gaps and pain points in your strategy process, communication, and execution? How can digital tools help you address them? Conducting a needs and gaps assessment will help you identify the most relevant and valuable digital tools for your strategy.

2 Choose the right tools for the job

There are many digital tools available for different aspects of strategy, such as data analysis, scenario planning, collaboration, visualization, and implementation. However, not all tools are created equal, and not all tools are suitable for your specific context and purpose. You need to evaluate the features, benefits, and limitations of each tool, and compare them with your needs and goals. Some criteria to consider are: ease of use, compatibility, security, scalability, cost, and support. Choose the tools that best fit your strategy and your team.

3 Integrate the tools into your workflow

Once you have selected the digital tools that you want to use, you need to integrate them into your strategy workflow. This means defining how, when, and by whom the tools will be used, and how they will interact with each other and with other existing systems and processes. You also need to establish clear roles and responsibilities, guidelines and standards, and feedback and evaluation mechanisms for using the tools. Integrating the tools into your workflow will help you streamline your strategy process and ensure consistency and quality.

4 Train and engage your team

Using digital tools effectively requires not only technical skills, but also strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. You need to train and engage your team on how to use the tools properly and productively, and how to apply them to your strategy. You can use various methods, such as online tutorials, webinars, workshops, or coaching sessions, to provide your team with the necessary knowledge and guidance. You also need to foster a culture of learning, experimentation, and innovation, and encourage your team to share their insights and feedback on using the tools.

5 Monitor and measure your results

Using digital tools can help you improve your strategy performance and outcomes, but you need to monitor and measure your results to validate your assumptions and decisions, and to identify areas for improvement. You can use various metrics and indicators, such as customer satisfaction, revenue growth, market share, or operational efficiency, to track and evaluate your progress and impact. You also need to use the data and insights generated by the tools to inform your strategy review and adjustment, and to communicate your results to your stakeholders.

6 Keep up with the trends and changes

Digital tools are constantly evolving and changing, and so is your strategy environment and context. You need to keep up with the trends and changes in both areas, and be ready to adapt and update your tools and your strategy accordingly. You can use various sources, such as industry reports, blogs, podcasts, or webinars, to stay informed and updated on the latest developments and best practices in digital tools and strategy. You also need to be open and flexible, and willing to experiment and learn from your experiences and feedback.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?