Digital and technology implementation considerations significantly impact upstream strategy development by influencing the organization’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives effectively and efficiently. A few of those considerations include change management, pilot programs and bridge solutions.
Bridge Solutions
A bridge solution, in the context of implementing a new digital or technology solution, acts as an interim process or system to ease the transition from legacy systems to the desired future state. It’s a vital link between old and new systems, offering stability and continuity throughout the transition. It is an option that proves useful in many cases.
What is the utility of a bridge solution? Bridge solutions can provide value by:
- Minimizing Disruption
- Managing Risk
- Facilitating Training and Adoption
- Testing and Validation
- Data Migration and Integration
A bridge solution may prove valuable in particular contexts, including:
- Large-scale digital transformation initiatives with significant changes to existing systems.
- Complex digital solutions needing customization to meet unique organizational needs.
- Situations where user readiness or operational continuity is a concern.
A bridge solution serves as a pragmatic approach to transition management, ensuring smooth implementation and mitigating risks associated with digital transformation.
Change management is an aspect of digital solution implementation strategy that is often overlooked or undervalued. The value of change management in influencing the level of success of an initiative is significant and multifaceted:
- Internal End User Adoption and Engagement
- Minimizing Resistance to Change
- Mitigate Disruption and Productivity Loss
- Cultural Alignment and Organizational Resilience
- Continuous Improvement and Adaptation
Change management plays a critical role in influencing the level of success of an initiative by maximizing adoption, minimizing resistance, accelerating value realization, optimizing business results, enhancing employee satisfaction, mitigating risks, fostering cultural transformation, and enabling sustained change and continuous improvement. This makes it an integral component of strategy development.
Change Management
Change Management is the discipline and structured approach used to prepare, support, and facilitate individuals, teams, and organizations in making organizational changes. It involves implementing processes, tools, and techniques to manage the human side of change effectively, ensuring that people are ready, willing, and able to adopt new behaviors, processes, systems, and structures required for organizational success.
Pilot Programs
In the context of digital tools and technologies in the life science industry, a pilot program refers to a small-scale, controlled implementation of a new digital solution or technology within a specific subset of the organization or a limited geographical area.
A pilot program allows organizations to test the effectiveness, feasibility, and impact of the new solution before full-scale deployment. These pilot programs are relevant for both external-facing initiatives (target users are customers or patients) and internal initiatives (internal end users).
The value of pilot programs includes:
- Risk Mitigation
- Validation of Concept
- User Feedback and Engagement
- Operational Optimization
- Cost-Efficiency
- Speed to Market
Pilot programs are typically utilized in the following contexts:
- When implementing new and innovative digital tools or technologies with uncertain outcomes or potential risks.
- When there is a need to validate the business case or return on investment (ROI) of a new solution before making a significant commitment.
- When stakeholders require evidence of the effectiveness and feasibility of a new digital solution before providing full support or funding for broader deployment.