You're faced with technical hurdles in Digital Strategy. How will you conquer them?

The first step to conquering technical hurdles in digital strategy is to thoroughly assess the challenges at hand. This involves identifying the specific issues, whether they relate to software, hardware, data integration, or user experience. Conduct a detailed analysis to understand the root causes and implications of these technical obstacles. Engage with your technical team, gather input from stakeholders, and review system logs and performance metrics. By comprehensively understanding the challenges, you can prioritize them based on their impact on your overall strategy and address the most critical issues first.

After navigating through the technical challenge/s, it is imperative to review the progress, analyse the outcomes of the actions, determine if the digital strategy is back on track and get to the root of the issue. Post-problem identification, it's time to chalk out a strategic, comprehensive plan, including adapting to new technologies, trying out new tools and platforms, mitigating the risks and setting KPIs and KRAs in the long run. Cross-functional collaboration, working on the skill gap, and upskilling play a crucial role in overcoming technical obstacles. Successful implementation and reviewing the set plan regularly are the keys to success.

In digital strategy, building a flexible and scalable infrastructure is not just a best practice but a necessity for sustained growth and adaptability. Too often, businesses make the mistake of investing in rigid systems that become obsolete as technology evolves. By designing an infrastructure that supports seamless upgrades and integrations, you can future-proof your operations, supporting long-term success and resilience in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Consider outsourcing as a potentially cheaper and more efficient option for one-off technical issues / barriers and gather quotes from reputable third-party companies who have a track record with getting your problem solved quickly. Whilst upskilling your team is always a great long-term option, if you’re dealing with a huge barrier which could potentially result in you losing business, money or morale in the short-term, it’s always best to sort the problem quickly, and consider additional skills gaps in the future, looking to training programmes, workshops and other solutions mentioned in section 3 of this article.

Leveraging expert partnerships and consultants is in my mind often the game-changer that separates thriving businesses from those merely surviving. You don't need to tackle all challenges in-house, or you risk burnout and suboptimal solutions. By collaborating with specialists, you can access cutting-edge expertise and innovative perspectives. Find top-tier consultants and thought leaders who can provide tailored solutions and help you accelerate progress. Embracing external expertise not only enhances strategy execution but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, and don't forget it's a great way to expand your personal network as well!

I've found the 'test and learn' approach to be particularly helpful here! This is not just a methodology but a mindset that fuels innovation and drives competitive advantage. There is no single, perfect solution which exists from the outset. However, success often lies in iterative experimentation and learning from failures. Look at A/B testing and multivariate experiments as examples of methods which businesses can use to refine strategies based on real-time data insights. Encourage risk-taking in a controlled environment, encouraging your team to become agile and resilient. Continuously iterate and optimise, so that you can uncover hidden opportunities, stay ahead of market trends, and ultimately achieve sustainable growth.