Digital Transformation: Modernizing the Information Infrastructure

In my previous article I raised the question, “What are some key actions you need to consider in order to achieve digital transformation?” One answer, which I will spotlight in this column, is that it’s important to focus on modernizing your information infrastructure. But what exactly does that mean?

The first thing that comes to most peoples’ minds is technology. However, while technology is a tool, it is not the only one related to managing information. Additional information management tools include, for example, a governance framework with policies and procedures to guide the organization, people who interact with the information and organization, and metadata. So, when we talk about modernizing the information infrastructure, there is a need to take a more holistic view and assess not only the technology you have and may need, but these other elements as well. There are at least four critical things you can do to evaluate your current state and formulate a modernization plan. Here are two of them:

• Assess how your current policies and procedures align with today’s requirements. Are they providing what is needed to address GDPR, HIPPA, PIPEDA and the other regulatory requirements of your organization? Document what you have and what you need, then build a project plan to fill the gaps and revise your governance policies and procedures accordingly.
• Develop training for the people who interact with the information and processes that are currently in place. The training can serve both to remind employees about key elements of the current information infrastructure but also to teach them what changes have taken place, the reason for/importance of these changes, and to provide details on the new procedures and technologies that they will use to ensure compliance.

In my next post I’ll highlight the other two actions you can take to support your modernization plan. In the meantime, feel free to visit the Business Process Outsourcing page of our website. There you will find additional insights on industry trends and best practices including case histories, whitepapers and more.