1. Analysis & Goal Definition

 

🎯 Objective: Understand the current situation, identify digitalization potential, and develop an initial vision.

• As-is analysis: Processes, systems, maturity level (e.g., using models like the Industry 4.0 Maturity Index)
• SWOT, GAP, or potential analysis
• Identify digital focus areas and fields of action

• Engage stakeholders and develop an initial vision

📄 Typical Documents:

• Digital Strategy Canvas
• Maturity Assessment
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Business Model Canvas

2. Strategy Development & Target Vision

 

🎯 Objective: Define a clear digital vision, strategic direction, and key enablers for implementation.

• Develop a target vision for the digital future
• Select digital levers (e.g., automation, AI, platforms)
• Define governance structures, guiding principles, and KPIs
• Ensure leadership buy-in and alignment

📄 Typical Documents:

• Digital Strategy
• Target Architecture / Vision
• Digital Roadmap
• Use Case Portfolio

3. Planning & Prioritization

 

🎯 Objective: Translate strategy into actionable initiatives, assess feasibility, and allocate resources effectively.

• Derive concrete programs and projects
• Conduct business cases and feasibility analyses
• Plan resources, timelines, and budgets
• Prepare change management and communication measures

📄 Typical Documents:

• Project Briefs
• Feasibility Studies
• Budget Plans
• Transformation Portfolio

4. Implementation & Piloting

 

🎯 Objective: Launch initial projects, validate solutions, and build momentum for broader rollout.

• Start implementation of first initiatives (e.g., IoT, new ERP systems, AI projects)

• Pilot key use cases and scale successful solutions

• Apply agile or classic project management methods

• Build internal capabilities and support change initiatives

📄 Typical Documents:

• Project Plans / Backlogs
• Technical Concepts / Specifications
• Communication Plans
• Training Materials

5. Scaling & Integration

 

🎯 Objective: Roll out successful pilots across the organization and anchor them in processes, systems, and structures.

• Scale proven pilot projects
• Integrate solutions into core processes and systems
• Adapt organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities
• Evaluate results and derive learnings

📄 Typical Documents:

• Handover Documents
• Rollout Plans
• Operating & Support Models
• Lessons Learned

6. Steering & Continuous Improvement

 

🎯 Objective: Ensure long-term success through structured monitoring, governance, and ongoing innovation.

• Establish a digital governance and steering model
• Define KPIs and dashboards to measure success
• Implement continuous monitoring and improvement mechanisms (e.g., Digital Factory, Transformation Office)
• Foster a culture of innovation and agility

📄 Typical Documents:

• KPI Dashboards
• Management Reviews
• Innovation Pipeline
• OKR Systems

1. Understand & Assess

 

🎯 Objective: Capture the current state, identify opportunities and risks

• Maturity assessment (e.g., Industry 4.0 Maturity Index)
• Benchmarking (e.g., against competitors)
• Identify digitalization potentials

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• SWOT analysis
• Business Model Canvas
• Stakeholder analysis
• Maturity models (e.g., acatech Industry 4.0)
• Heatmaps / Process maps

2. Develop Strategy & Target Vision

 

🎯 Objective: Define a digital vision and strategic priorities

• Develop a digital target vision
• Prioritize use cases
• Establish governance, principles, and KPIs

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• Vision and mission workshops
• Digital Strategy Canvas
• TOGAF / Enterprise Architecture
• Scenario planning
• OKR (Objectives & Key Results)

3. Planning & Portfolio Management

 

🎯 Objective: Plan concrete actions, projects, and budgets

• Derive a digital transformation portfolio
• Develop a roadmap
• Conduct resource and risk analysis

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• Portfolio analysis (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix, Impact-Effort Matrix)
• Business case / ROI evaluation
• Lean Portfolio Management (e.g., in SAFe)
• Gantt chart planning, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

4. Implementation & Piloting

 

🎯 Objective: Implement and evaluate initial use cases and pilot projects

• Launch small pilot projects (e.g., automation, data analytics)
• Apply agile methods and iterative approaches
• Build digital competencies

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• Design Thinking
• Scrum / Kanban / SAFe / LeSS
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• DevOps / Continuous Integration
• User Testing, Feedback Loops

5. Scaling & Change Management

 

🎯 Objective: Roll out successful solutions and adapt the organization

• Roll out successful pilots
• Adjust processes, roles, and systems
• Support through change management

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• Kotter’s Change Model, ADKAR
• Training programs / enablement
• RACI matrix for responsibilities
• Handover models
• ITIL for service delivery

6. Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

 

🎯 Objective: Embed and continuously advance digitalization sustainably

• Introduce governance models and KPIs
• Foster an innovation culture (e.g., through Digital Labs)
• Implement automated monitoring and improvement

📒 Methods / Techniques:

• KPI dashboards
• PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
• Process mining / data analytics
• Feedback systems
• Innovation funnel / design sprints

1. Project Initialization / Project Kick-off

 

🎯 Objective: Validate project idea, clarify mandate, and approve project

Typical Activities:

• Define project mandate
• Conduct feasibility analysis
• Establish project organization
• Identify stakeholders

📒 Methods & Techniques:

• Project brief
• Stakeholder analysis
• Business case
• SWOT analysis
• Benefit analysis
• Goal definition (SMART)

📦 Tools:

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint (project mandate, presentations)
• MS Teams (kickoff meeting)
• OneNote (initial documentation)

2. Project Planning

 

🎯 Objective: Structure the project, plan tasks, resources, time, and costs

Typical Activities:

• Define work packages (WBS)
• Schedule planning (timeline, Gantt chart)
• Resource and cost planning
• Risk management
• Communication and quality planning

📒 Methods & Techniques:

• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Network diagram / Gantt chart
• Milestone planning
• RACI matrix
• Risk analysis (FMEA, risk portfolio)
• Communication matrix

📦 Tools:

• Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Planview
• Excel (cost and resource planning)
• Visio (structure & workflows)
• SharePoint/Teams (document management)

3. Project Execution & Control

 

🎯 Objective: Execute, monitor, and adjust the project

Typical Activities:

• Task allocation & progress tracking
• Project controlling (time, cost, quality)
• Change management
• Team coordination

📒 Methods & Techniques:

• Actual vs. planned comparison
• Earned Value Management (EVM)
• Status reports
• Change requests
• Lessons Learned log
• Daily stand-ups (in hybrid approaches)

📦 Tools:

• MS Project (controlling)
• Power BI (KPI dashboards)
• Teams / Planner for daily management

4. Project Closure

 

🎯 Objective: Properly close the project and hand over results

Typical Activities:

• Obtain client acceptance
• Final report & documentation
• Disband project team
• Closing workshop (“Lessons Learned”)

📒 Methods & Techniques:

• Acceptance protocol
• Project closure report
• Lessons Learned workshop
• Project evaluation
• Success metrics

📦 Tools:

• Word/PDF (final report)
• Miro / MURAL for retrospectives
• Confluence or Teams Wiki for documentation