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In the past, businesses could afford to view digital transformation as a distant challenge, something they’d tackle only when faced with it directly. However, that perspective has shifted. Today, digital transformation serves as a critical catalyst in the business realm, incessantly evolving and pushing companies to adapt.

Arjo van Oosten, Senior Vice President of Digital Transformation at Mendix, remarked, “If you talk about change and the truth of transformation, you see that threats are coming to get you. They’re actively hunting for you if you don’t control it.”

Mendix, a prominent provider of low-code platforms, assists organizations in navigating these complexities. Its approach to digital transformation is thorough and thoughtful, acknowledging that true change extends well beyond merely adopting new technologies.

Mendix perceives digital transformation as a comprehensive journey that integrates technological advancements alongside changes in organizational structure, processes, and culture. It is about redefining business operations in the digital era, prioritizing agility, innovation, and a customer-centric focus.

The company’s strategy hinges on two essential principles: the “5 P’s” and the “3 S’s.” The “5 P’s” – Portfolio, People, Process, Platform, and Promotion – constitute the foundation of an organization’s transformation strategy, ensuring that all vital aspects of change are addressed. Meanwhile, the “3 S’s” – Start, Structure, and Scale – offer a framework for the transformation journey, dividing it into attainable phases.

This organized methodology aids organizations in avoiding common traps seen in digital transformation initiatives. As van Oosten highlights, numerous transformation efforts falter due to a nebulous vision, inadequate portfolio choices, or the failure to demonstrate value promptly. Mendix’s approach tackles these issues directly, empowering organizations to advance rapidly while keeping a strategic perspective.

At the heart of Mendix’s strategy is its low-code platform, which acts as a facilitator of digital transformation. By streamlining the time and complexity associated with application development, low-code platforms such as Mendix enable organizations to introduce new solutions more swiftly, adapt promptly to evolving business requirements, and enhance collaboration between business and IT teams.

Mendix places a significant emphasis on the notion that digital transformation hinges on its people. It’s about equipping employees with new competencies, nurturing a culture that embraces innovation, and dismantling barriers between various departments within the organization. “It’s always about people because certainly, low-code is […] influencing individuals’ roles, responsibilities, and career trajectories,” van Oosten commented.

In the subsequent Q&A, we take a closer look at Mendix’s stance on digital transformation, examining essential strategies, prevalent obstacles, and how emerging technologies are poised to influence the future of business.

Q: Can you tell us more about Mendix’s “5 P’s” framework for digital transformation?

While each P may vary based on your current stage in the journey, they consistently revolve around five critical areas. The first P stands for Portfolio: What are our goals for development? What is our timeline for achieving these goals? The second P refers to People: Who makes up our initial team? What strategies are in place for team expansion? What types of skills or expertise are required? How will we facilitate training for our team members?

The third P stands for Process: Are we aiming for an MVP, or minimal viable product? Are we adopting an agile methodology? Do we maintain quick release cycles? Are we implementing DevOps practices? The fourth P is Platform: How do we integrate our technologies within an existing enterprise architecture framework, and how do we expand it?

The fifth P is Promotion, which is the latest addition. Historically, we discussed only the four P’s. Now, we recognize a fifth. This encompasses three elements: internal public relations, deliberate stakeholder management, and cultivating a community among business and IT. This has proven to be a crucial insight.

In summary, these P’s operate in parallel. Nonetheless, the People dimension holds the utmost significance. Without buy-in, and without a shift in enthusiasm, every effort may come to naught. It is essential to ensure that everyone, especially the key individuals, is aligned with your initiative.

Q: How does Mendix organize the digital transformation journey?

Mendix outlines the journey of transformation into three fundamental stages, referred to as the ‘3S’s’: Start, Structure, and Scale. The Start stage emphasizes achieving quick wins, with the goal of delivering value swiftly—often launching an application within 60 days. This method of ‘seeing is believing’ fosters enthusiasm and momentum for the transformation process.

The Structure stage is designed to cultivate predictability and consistency, while the Scale stage is concentrated on broadening organizational transformation endeavors. This phased approach enables organizations to provide immediate value while laying the groundwork for sustainable success.

Q: What are some common pitfalls in digital transformation efforts?

Two significant pitfalls often arise. The first is the absence of a clear vision; it’s essential to have a strategy that aligns with that vision. The second is poor portfolio selection, especially during the initial phases of transformation. Just because an application is feasible technically does not mean it should be the first one developed. “Instead of opting for overly complicated initial projects, I suggest a more gradual approach that enables teams to learn and evolve as they enhance their capabilities.”

Q: How does Mendix’s low-code platform play a role in digital transformation strategies?

The low-code platform provided by Mendix brings various benefits, both clear and subtle, that contribute to digital transformation. On the subtle side, it enhances collaboration between business and IT teams, fosters innovation, and boosts organizational adaptability. The clear benefits are more measurable, with the most prominent being an expedited time-to-market. This quicker delivery can yield significant financial advantages for organizations, potentially transforming IT departments into revenue generators.

Q: What metrics does Mendix suggest for assessing the success of digital transformation efforts?

Mendix identifies three vital metrics for evaluating the success of transformation initiatives.

First, there’s the time taken to complete applications, which assesses how swiftly we can launch new applications into the market. Second, we consider the number of certified developers, which reflects the expansion of the organization’s low-code expertise. I cannot stress enough the significance of training your developers and ensuring they keep acquiring experience even after their certification has been achieved. This continuous growth is vital for sustaining and improving the team’s capabilities.

The third metric to consider is the number of applications developed using low-code, which illustrates the extent of the organization’s adoption. It’s also imperative to monitor the business value that these applications provide.

Q: How do you perceive emerging technologies, such as AI, influencing future digital transformation strategies?

I don’t want to come off as too predictable, but AI is becoming increasingly significant in the realm of digital transformation, particularly across three vital areas.

Initially, in the realm of application development, we can anticipate AI evolving to function as a co-developer and potentially even taking on roles similar to team leads in the near future. Furthermore, by incorporating AI capabilities, applications can be enhanced to become more intelligent.

Additionally, AI has the ability to facilitate the transformation process, gaining insights into customer requirements and offering guidance throughout the transformation journey. Mendix is diligently working to embed AI functionalities into our platform while creating new tools to support efforts in digital transformation.

Photo by Joshua Earle

See also: How low-code and no-code platforms impact traditional development

Are you ready to enhance your digital transformation approach? Discover more about Digital Transformation Week happening in Amsterdam, California, and London. This extensive event is held alongside AI & Big Data Expo, Cyber Security & Cloud Expo, and other prominent gatherings.

Check out additional upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars organized by TechForge here.

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