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Digital Transformation

Successful Digital Thread Requires Best Practices

Is Technology Enough? The Importance of Best Practices in Raising Digital Maturity 

It’s easy to assume that leaning on the latest digital tools and technologies is the most effective path to digital maturity. Yet, the data says otherwise... 

In our recent industry report on data connectivity and visibility, we spoke with 400 senior leaders and C-suite executives from various industrial sectors about their experience with digitalization. Major players from the manufacturing, power, oil and gas and chemicals industries indicated that adopting tech innovations alone was not enough.  

Although seven in 10 leaders say their organizations increased the number of digital tools and data sources used over the past year, 56% say that their organization’s transformation efforts are not yet returning the expected value.  

So, the question arises. Alongside digital tools, are best practices being followed to create the right environment for those tools to work to their maximum potential? As Lawrence Benson, our Vice President of Portfolio Strategy, explains in the report: 

"Closing digital maturity gaps isn’t just about having data, it’s about having the-right-people and-connected-systems to make that data reliable and accessible. That means-best practices, skilled-staff,-solid integration tools and quality processes that make sure teams can actually trust and use the information." 

Organizations often struggle with siloed systems, outdated processes and skills gaps, which can hold back progress, even with advanced tools in place. True digital transformation isn’t just about technology; it’s about connecting tools, data and people to work together.  

In this blog, we’ll explore this further and cover some of the main tips and tricks to keep in mind.  

 

Why Digital Tools Alone Are Not Sufficient 

One thing is clear. Organizations are turning more and more to new technologies to help tackle key business and operational challenges.  

The research shows that tools specialized in improving data visibility are most popular. This includes visualization dashboards (used frequently by 76% of organizations) and digital twins (used often by 73%).  

So, with these capabilities from the latest digital technologies for industry, why are so many organizations not seeing optimal results? 

For example, the report reveals that of the organizations that increased their use of digital tools in the past year, 75% say project milestones being missed is having a detrimental impact on them, compared with just 57% of those who have not increased the number of tools. Similarly, 67% of those who have upped their tools cite projects running over budget as a challenge, compared with a lesser 55% of those who haven’t added more. 

Despite investments made, organizations are not seeing the desired results. This is largely due to overlooking key best practices that can advance maturity in the use of digital thread technology. In the report, Dan Everest, Fleet Information Systems Manager at Greater Anglia, highlights the importance of a unified approach: “We are building a central data repository for everything to feed into – from EAM engineering data, to revenue and customer experience, all in one place. It will enable joined-up intelligence... Any time of day or night, to be able to get the up-to-date data is what we're aiming for and exactly where we’re heading.” 

This unified approach ensures that data is not only collected but also contextualized and made accessible to all stakeholders in real time. Without such steps, organizations risk falling into the trap of fragmented systems and disconnected tools, which can exacerbate inefficiencies rather than resolve them. 

 

How Best Practices Are Crucial for Positive Change  

So, when considering best practices for new technologies, what’s the most important thing to keep in mind? Often, it’s striking a delicate balance between existing processes and new methods. Cultural change within an organization is as important as investing in innovative technologies.  

Here’s three key best practices to keep in mind on your digital maturity journey:  

 

Change Management and Tackling Legacy Systems 

Let’s start by acknowledging one of the biggest issues: legacy systems. Many organizations are still relying on outdated software and processes that can hold back digital thread maturity. Legacy systems can be deeply embedded in operations, making them very difficult to replace or upgrade. Yet trying to achieve digital maturity while they are still in place is inefficient and not very effective and addressing them should be a top priority.  

Without this step, organizations risk building on a weak foundation that cannot support scalable or reliable digital thread initiatives. This process is not just about the technology, but also about ensuring you have skilled teams, integration tools and trusted processes in place. 

 

Trusting Your Data As a Foundation 

 When it comes to adopting new digital tools and processes, the quality of your data is just as important, if not more so, than the tools themselves. Poor-quality data can undermine even the most sophisticated digital investments, leading to unreliable insights, wasted resources and frustration among teams. 

As seen in the report, organizations that regularly use digital thread technologies and ensure direct access to clean data for stakeholders are better positioned to succeed. In contrast, those relying on outdated or siloed data often find themselves stuck in a cycle of inefficiency. 

In the report, Bilal Alani from Danone talks of this clean foundation, saying: "The expectation from the business C-Level is to have real-time data when it’s needed, but sometimes there isn’t the realization that this needs the investment and people to maintain and govern it, to get to the data clean and harmonized and gain the new digital capabilities." 

By prioritizing data quality, organizations can establish a reliable foundation for their digital tools, in order to unlock the full potential of technologies like AI. 

 

Are Too Many Tools Slowing You Down? 

Here’s a surprising insight from our research: organizations that increased their adoption of digital solutions in the past year actually reported more challenges with missed milestones and over-budget projects compared to those that didn’t. Why?  

It’s not that the tools themselves are ineffective, but a case of “too much, too fast.” Adding more tools without a clear strategy can create silos, increase complexity and overwhelm teams, which ultimately slows down progress. 

Start by assessing your current systems and identifying gaps. Are your tools talking to each other? Are your teams able to access the data they need without jumping through hoops? If the answer is no, it’s time to stop and focus on integration. Moreover, consolidating tools and streamlining processes can help you avoid duplication of effort and reduce the time spent on manual tasks. By simplifying your approach, you’ll free up your team to focus on what really matters.  

 

So, What Now?  

Looking ahead, the path to true digital transformation lies in connecting the dots. While many organizations have increased their use of digital tools, many still struggle with disconnected systems, manual processes and siloed data. The result of this is that teams spend an average of 117 working days a year consolidating information instead of driving innovation. 

The future requires smarter integration. Technology alone isn’t enough. Success will also depend on upskilling teams, adopting best practices and encouraging collaboration to ensure data is not just available but actionable.