7 steps to digital transformation success

Every transformation journey needs a roadmap

Every journey has a destination, and a digitalization project is no exception. A manufacturer seeking to generate and test new concepts faster has a different goal in mind than an Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) company working to streamline data management. Whether implementing a BIM workflow, PDM or PLM tools, or upskilling your team, overall objectives align with optimizing processes, improving operational efficiency and business resilience, and increasing productivity and growth. A variety of factors influence the route each organization takes, but what’s consistent for successful transformation is a clear, actionable roadmap that balances the needs of your people, processes, and technologies.

The roadmap starts with where you are today. A clear view of your existing assets, goals, and priorities will shape the entire project. Your transformation partner supports you in developing your roadmap. ARKANCE is trusted by 40,000 customers worldwide for business and digital transformation.

We know the processes and the pitfalls, and we combine global scale with local insight to support complex project delivery. We’re ready to work with your teams to create a comprehensive, seven-step roadmap to define outcomes, create an action plan, identify the right solutions, empower your people, and enable sustainable growth.

Seven-steps to transformation success

1- Define outcomes

Understanding your desired outcomes is key to success. The project might involve a single process or workflow optimization or it might be a multi-phase digital adoption strategy. Discovery involves interviews and process evaluations with your teams. Depending on the scope, this phase may take one day or one week to complete. The result is a detailed assessment of where you are today, where you want to be, and any gaps in between.

2- Communicate the action plan

Clear communication aligns your partner's team and your teams with a shared vision and plan. A transformation journey is smoother when all participants understand:

• Vision for change: how the project will improve processes, operations, stakeholder experiences, and long-term value

• Project goals: how processes, technologies, and people will evolve, with specific recommendations and timelines

• Roles and responsibilities: how roles are defined and supported by regular, open communication

• Change management: how to follow a defined process for managing change requests and approvals

Positive communication also celebrates quick wins, recognizes behavior shifts, and actively fosters learning to build momentum across your organization.

3-Identify the right solutions

Team collaboration is essential to identify, design, and refine the most effective solutions for your project. Solutions are more than just software, although that is important. They should include complete software configuration, seamless technology integration, and the team training needed to move forward with minimal disruption. ARKANCE delivers strategic technology consulting rooted in real-world experiences, across AEC and manufacturing. With our dedicated team of digital experts, you get more than advice, we embed, align and help you map the best route forward.

4-Run a pilot

Every new approach requires a pilot phase, where new technology solutions and workflows come together. During this phase, you should expect to test workflows and tailor them to specific needs and quality requirements. You will also identify any potential gaps, uncover process improvements, and finetune configurations before full deployment.

5- Deploy the new solution

Here, your solution moves from test to full systems integration. Successful digital adoption leads to operational efficiency, sustainable processes, business resilience, increased productivity and improved competitive advantage.  According to the 2025 Autodesk State of Design and Make report, businesses see a +50% return on digital transformation efforts through increases in innovation, productivity, and more. By the end of deployment, your organization is confidently running on modern tools with measurable outcomes and a clear path for future optimization.

6-Ensure ongoing support

Your partner also works with you to “anchor” your new solution. This includes helping you to achieve full adoption and return on your investment. At this stage, your team is empowered and engaged in the new solution and your partner will become a key resource for support. Personalized, proactive support enables you to resolve issues, identify optimization opportunities and future needs, as well as build skills and fill knowledge gaps.

7-Results and project handoff

The end of your roadmap isn't the end of your journey. You can continue to rely on your partner as a strategic advisor for building long-term value in your digitalization investment. At ARKANCE, we "close the loop" helping you measure success and report project results to your key stakeholders.

Take the next step in your transformation journey

If you’re ready to go beyond the seven steps and build a detailed, business-wide transformation strategy, our free 20-page guide “Your Roadmap to Business Transformation” is the next logical step. Download the guide below so you can turn the roadmap into action.

Choose ARKANCE: Your digital transformation partner

At ARKANCE, our experienced consultants help you define your roadmap and achieve real results.  We help organizations enhance efficiency and improve how they design, build, and manufacture through solutions grounded in deep industry expertise, platform specialization, certified training programs and trusted partnerships. Transformation takes a team. We’re your people.