A digitalization roadmap is not a presentation for management or a list of technologies. It is a practical plan that answers key questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? What stages will we go through to get there, and how will we measure progress?

It contains clearly formulated business goals, specific stages of change with time frames, a list of necessary resources (people, budgets, tools), potential risks, responsible persons, and criteria for measuring success. 

Where to start: preparing for digital transformation

70% of digital transformations fail due to a lack of discipline in defining and executing the right steps to implement change and maintain a steady pace of change. 

That is why digital transformation does not start with buying software or launching a new system. It starts much earlier with the realization that the company needs change. Why? Because competitors are ahead in terms of process automation, or you realize that you can capture a new market share right now if you digitize in time. However, before you map out the changes, you need to know exactly where you are now.

Step one. Assess your digital maturity.

The five-stage digital transformation model proposed by Tony Saldana will help you with this. It allows you to “see yourself from the outside” and not start reforms blindly.

1. Foundation — only individual processes are automated, data is mainly on paper.

2. Isolation — individual departments work with modern technologies but do not exchange data.

3. Partial synchronization — some processes between departments are connected and exchange information.

4. Full synchronization — the company operates as a single digital mechanism.

5. Living DNA — digital transformation has become part of the culture. You are the leader.

Even if you are at the first stage, this is not a reason to worry, but only a starting point. A roadmap can be created from any level of digital maturity of the company; you just need to make an effort and not stop.

Step two. Work with your team

The biggest mistake in digital transformation is thinking that it is only about technology. In fact, it's about people who can either push it forward or completely stop any automation.

John Kotter, a professor at Harvard Business School, has done a lot of work on this. He analyzed 100 different organizations undergoing change and found that the probability of effective organizational change is only 30%. 

Kotter's change model is often referred to as a “top-down” approach to change, where the need for change and the approach to it originate at the highest levels of the company and then move down through the levels of management to the recipients of the change. So, to increase your chances of successful digitalization, use his eight-step model:

1. Create a sense of urgency — show your team why change is needed right now.

2. Build a coalition for change — engage leaders at all levels of the organization.

3. Form a vision of the future — explain what you are striving for and why.

4. Recruit volunteers — don't persuade, inspire. Motivated people drive change.

5. Remove barriers — eliminate technical, organizational, and human obstacles.

6. Generate short-term wins — record successes, even if they are small.

7. Maintain momentum — don't stop after the first results.

8. Institutionalize change — integrate new approaches into the company's daily life.

Remember: transformation is a marathon, not a sprint. It is important that your team believes in you and trusts you. 

Step three. Set priorities

In logistics, as in other industries, you should not start by choosing a program until you understand why you need it. However, once you have analyzed the current state of your business, identified your weaknesses, and prepared your team, you can start setting priorities. 

For carriers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and other shippers, these may include:

• transportation management systems (TMS);

• warehouse management systems (WMS);

• electronic data interchange (EDI);

• real-time cargo tracking;

• route and cost analytics.

Therefore, the implementation of one or more of these tools should be included in the roadmap for transformational change. An easier way is to choose a comprehensive digital solution, such as CONSOLID.AI, which allows you to:

• track routes in real time;

• receive analytics on costs, delays, and downtime;

• respond to deviations and change routes on the fly.

A digital logistics ecosystem can be connected in a few hours, and you can start enjoying the benefits of digital transformation on the same day. No special equipment or long-term staff training is required. 

A few words about the roadmap

A digital transformation roadmap is not just a document. It is a strategy that combines people, processes, and technologies into a single ecosystem. It should include:

• a transition plan (takeoff and climb),

• a plan to ensure the viability of the new business model = maintaining market position in the long term (maintaining altitude and speed).

The secret of a roadmap is that it is not static. The document should be reviewed quarterly or annually. It is important to distinguish between the stages of launching changes and maintaining a leading position.

• Launching changes is a turning point when the business model takes off, changing from one state to another.

• Maintaining a leading position is a stable route.

Creating a map is an opportunity to see where you are now and where you can go — step by step, changing the logistics within and around the company. With the right team, vision, and plan, this path will be one of the strongest leaps in the development of your business.

Key tips before starting the transformation

• In conclusion, here are a few tips to help you avoid mistakes:

• Don't copy other people's solutions. Every company is unique — focus on your own processes.

• Get people involved early on, train them before implementation.

• Form a vision and explain it to the team, because without a common understanding of the goal, no system will work.

• Allocate resources for adaptation, not just for launch.

• Be prepared to change course. A roadmap is not a dogma, but a navigator.