Show stopper of the digital transformation

Lack of employee know-how

The fact that modernizing a company is a comprehensive process was clear to the companies surveyed from the outset - but the fact that this complexity requires appropriate project methods was not taken for granted by all of them. The study found that 80 percent of transformation projects are planned and implemented at least in part using agile project management methods. The waterfall method, agile project management and a combination of both approaches are used. But complexity is not the only challenge.

According to the respondents, resource planning is a challenge in almost half of all transformation projects, as many companies lack the expertise and experience for such projects. This highlights the fact that the shortage of skilled workers, particularly in IT professions, is having a direct impact on companies' digital transformation capabilities. In addition, more than 30 percent of companies struggle to maintain an overview of projects and keep a grip on budget management.

Similarly, more than 30 percent of the companies rate the complexity of the project process, compliance with time requirements, the increased coordination effort and the analysis of the existing IT landscape as similarly challenging. But minimizing downtime (28 percent) and test management (21 percent) are also among the challenges that need to be overcome. For this reason, more than half of the transformation projects are implemented in several large stages.

After all, 31 percent of projects are rolled out gradually over a longer period of time. Only 12 percent of companies are putting all their eggs in one basket and implementing their transformation with a big bang on a deadline. This shows that those responsible are aware of the scope of these projects and that mistakes should be ruled out as far as possible in advance, thus minimizing risks.