Life is full of choices, and the ones we make shape our future. The same holds true for digital transformation. Oracle Consulting Australia and New Zealand Delivery Director Amit Dua shares 10 key choices that can open the doors to success.
Digital transformation is not just about technology—it’s a strategic journey that requires careful choices to successfully deliver lasting business value through improvements to how people collaborate, innovate, interact with customers, make decisions and more.
The wrong choices can see your digital transformation among the many that falter or fail, with financial and reputational costs.The 2025 Gartner CIO and Technology Executive Survey found 48% of digital initiatives met or exceeded their business outcome targets. When Bain & Company studied 300 large companies in 2023, the results were even worse, with only 12% of transformation efforts meeting or exceeding expectations according to a report in Harvard Business Review.
What can organizations do to ensure their transformation succeeds and delivers enduring value?
Here are 10 key choices that can unlock the doors to success
1. Unclear objectives vs well-defined goals
Unclear objectives in a digital transformation can lead to confusion, wasted resources, and a lack of direction, making it almost impossible to measure progress or success. For example, if a business sets a vague goal like “improve customer experience” without defining specific metrics or outcomes, teams and partners may pursue different interpretations, resulting in disjointed efforts or solutions that don’t address needs. Well-defined goals—such as “reduce customer service response time by 30% within six months”—provide a clear target, enable focused efforts, and allow for measurable progress. A strong vision and strategy, aligned with overall business goals, helps to ensure that all stakeholders, including partners and internal teams, work cohesively toward the same outcomes, driving meaningful and impactful transformation.
2. Misaligned goals vs shared goals
Misaligned goals can derail transformations. Conflicting priorities among internal teams—like one line of business wanting customization while another seeks standardization—can slow progress. Similarly, implementation partners may have less motivation to complete a project on time if contracted on a time & materials (T&M) basis that makes delay more profitable. Aligned goals, clear communication, and shared incentives are key to driving efficiency and success.
3. Technology as the goal vs technology as a business enabler
When organizations focus solely on technology—treating it as an end goal rather than a tool—they risk investing in solutions that don’t align with business needs or drive real value. For example, implementing the latest AI platform without a clear understanding of how it solves specific business problems can lead to wasted resources. On the other hand, when technology is seen as a business enabler, it becomes a means to achieve strategic objectives, such as improving customer experience, streamlining operations, or driving innovation. In essence, technology should not be the hero of the story; it should empower the business to write its own success story.
4. Speed vs readiness
Rushing into a transformation without proper preparation can lead to costly delays, rework, and failure. Think of it like planning an expedition to climb Mount Everest: if some team members show up at Base Camp without proper gear, it slows the entire group, creates risks, and may even force everyone to turn back. Similarly, in a transformation, if key stakeholders or systems aren’t ready, it disrupts timelines, increases costs, and jeopardizes the program’s success. Taking the time to ensure readiness—whether it’s aligning processes, training teams, or setting up the right infrastructure—lays the groundwork for a smoother, faster, and more successful transformation journey.
5. Budget approval vs active and engaged leadership
Leadership plays a pivotal role in the success of digital transformations, and the level of engagement from leaders can make or break the initiative. Budget approval alone is not enough. For example, a leader who simply approves a budget for a new customer relationship management (CRM) system but doesn’t engage with the team to understand its impact on sales processes may see the project stall due to resistance or misalignment. Successful transformation leaders go beyond signing off on funds—they actively champion the initiative, align it with business strategy, address concerns, and foster a culture of collaboration and accountability.
6. Rigidity vs flexibility
In digital transformations, the balance between rigidity and flexibility in approach is crucial. While standards and frameworks provide a helpful starting point, every transformation is unique. Rigidly sticking to a predefined method without room for adaptation can lead to solutions that don’t fully address the problem or fail to deliver value. Flexibility allows teams to adjust strategies, incorporate feedback, and tailor solutions to evolving needs, significantly increasing the chances of success. Think of it like building earthquake-proof foundations in Japan: engineers use flexible techniques such as seismic dampers and base isolation to adapt to the unpredictable forces of nature, ensuring the structure remains resilient.
7. Legacy habits vs embracing best practices
In digital transformations, business users often prefer sticking to familiar ways of working, even when new systems offer better alternatives. However, replicating old processes in a new system can limit the potential of the transformation. Instead, the focus should be on adopting best practices that drive efficiency, innovation, and scalability. Oracle Consulting, for instance, encourages customers to embrace Oracle Modern Best Practices as part of their transformation journey. While there may be exceptions based on unique business needs, these decisions should be elevated to executive leadership rather than left to ground-level business users, who may resist changing for the better due to comfort with legacy processes.
8. Implementation-only thinking vs business outcome focus
In digital transformations, the difference between delivering on a system implementation and delivering business outcomes is critical. When the focus is solely on checking boxes—such as meeting technical specifications or project milestones—organizations risk losing sight of the bigger picture. For instance, your team might deliver a new software system on time and within budget but fail to address the business’s challenges. By prioritizing business outcomes—like increasing revenue, reducing costs, or enhancing customer satisfaction—you can help to ensure that the transformation delivers real value. This requires collaboration, shared goals, and a deep understanding of the business’s needs. Ultimately, success isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about achieving tangible results that drive the organization forward.
9. Change management: after-thought vs driven via change champions
In digital transformations, treating change management as an afterthought is a recipe for failure. Simply rolling out new systems or processes without addressing the human side of change often leads to resistance, low adoption, and unrealized value. If employees can’t or won’t use a new platform, even the most advanced technology will fall flat. In addition to quality change management, it’s essential to have internal change champions—individuals who act as the eyes and ears for the project, bridge gaps between the leadership and teams, inspire confidence and encourage enthusiasm—as the likelihood of success multiplies. By identifying and encouraging change champions, organizations can turn potential resistance into momentum, ensuring the initiative delivers lasting impact and measurable business value.
10. End goal: finite implementation vs continuous innovation
Think of a digital transformation like a trek to the summit of Mount Everest. Completing a system implementation is akin to reaching the base camp—a significant milestone, but not the ultimate goal. If the business wants to scale the summit and achieve measurable, long-term value, the journey doesn’t end at implementation. It requires ongoing work on adoption, user support, and continuous innovation. Just as climbers need the right gear, training, and acclimatization to ascend higher, business users need the right tools, training, and support to fully adopt and leverage the new system. Without investing in adoption and continuous improvement, the transformation risks falling short, leading to failed adoption or temporary impact. True success lies in fostering a culture of innovation and ensuring the transformation delivers lasting value, making the difference between a short-term fix and a long-lasting, transformative impact.
In conclusion
Digital transformation is not just about technology—it’s a strategic journey that requires careful choices at every step.
From aligning goals and defining clear objectives to balancing speed with readiness, embracing flexibility, and prioritizing continuous innovation, each decision shapes the outcome. Leadership engagement, focus on business outcomes, adoption of best practices, and proactive change management are equally critical to ensure success. By avoiding pitfalls like rigidity, resistance, and short-term thinking, organizations can unlock the full potential of their transformation.
Remember, the true measure of success lies not in completing tasks but in delivering lasting value, fostering innovation, and empowering people to thrive in a digital future.
Ready to embark on your digital transformation journey?
At Oracle Consulting, we understand that digital transformation is a complex and challenging process but, with the right guidance, it can be a powerful catalyst for success. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping businesses make the right choices to unlock their digital potential. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a successful transformation, we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team. Don’t let your digital transformation be just another statistic. Take action now and we look forward to helping you make the right choices and achieving your business goals.
Contact the author: Amit Dua on amit.dua@oracle.com