What you should do right now

Continue to realign digital programs. One of the first major concerns business leaders had when the pandemic hit was maintaining the levels of service customers expect during normal conditions. This should remain your top focus. Consider shifting your attention to projects that provide a better customer experience or that enhance your ability to deliver to your customers what they want virtually. Aim to make the digital experience consistent, streamlined, and integrated across channels that correspond to client needs and functionality.
Rethink priorities. Even if your company budget is solid, some initiatives might no longer be valuable given projections about the disease and market conditions. New ways of working also might mean that some projects would not be feasible, while others might require more security or privacy than you can offer in a work-from-home situation. Systematically measure each initiative to confirm whether it's something you can realistically implement, and if necessary, push out the projects you cannot take sufficient precautions for.
Restructure workforce strategies. Usually, requirements workshops, change management, and other critical transformation activities that are necessary to execute digital projects would happen in person. But since teams now have to operate outside of the office, you must change your strategy to allow these activities to occur remotely. Take the time to find useful, reliable tools that make online collaboration truly effortless; this will combat the tendency for remote employees to end up working in silos.
Reevaluate your investment. The pandemic has placed many companies under severe financial constraints, which is strongly influencing leaders' decisions about how to proceed with digital transformation plans. So although it's always smart to think in terms of cost-effectiveness, it's now more important than ever to focus on how you can digitize so that you get the most substantial return and ensure effective outcomes. Remember, as you consider your choices, that your transformation solutions might need to continue to perform for you not only now through the pandemic but also after the virus is under control.

What you should do next

Once you've worked through the challenges outlined above and have some stability, identify the transformation opportunities the pandemic presents to you. For example, you might be able to:

Revitalize operating models
Build digital capabilities
Find new talent

Initially, focus on high priority capabilities. Shorten your development cycle to introduce value-added functionality, as well.

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Is your digital transformation plan dashed or doable?

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