What makes a successful IT Transformation project?

I was talking to a potential client the other day and was asked ‘What makes a successful IT Transformation Project?’.

The obvious answer would be getting to the end of the project with the transformation completed. But this is an injustice to a successful IT Transformation activity which involves multiple attributes that provide so much benefit to the business. So, after taking a few moments to consider the question in more detail, the real value of an IT Transformation project, is not just that it is completed but also to be successful must be the benefits and value it brings to the business.

I hear of so many projects that were implemented but played no benefit to the business. Then why was the project approved?

A well-run IT Transformation project passes through several phases, starting with developing the project team, many of whom when the project starts are to be honest there in person but not in yet bought into the project’s objectives. The project manager must enthuse the team to support the aims and approach for the project, so the project manager must possess an element of sales skills. As the project progresses the team must be empowered to contribute and provide their skills in laying down the direction for the technology transformation, yes team building is important. The Project Manager in the meantime must ensure the business governance is briefed on progress, risks, issues, project communications, finance, procurement, security, compliance…., ensuring that key stakeholders are kept briefed on progress, updating them when things don’t go as planned (it happens in every project), and keeping it quiet is not the way forward.

Finally ensuring the team are entrusted to execute the agreed plan, engaging the business to provide training, testing and gaining approval to accept the transformation. The benefits of a well-structured IT Transformation project are not just in the technical elements but in the engagement of the various elements of the business and ensuring that the business gains the maximum benefit for the project. A great Project Manager alone cannot deliver a project and through experience I rarely see a technical team successfully deliver a project, in many cases they get it over the line and for most it was a painful journey. Together though you have the makings of a successful and valuable combination for the delivery of those complex projects.  

I think it must have worked as I have another meeting with the client for their IT Transformation Project.