Vision, alignment, and commitment: The real engine behind a successful digital transformation

Digital transformation is much more than implementing technology. It’s about redefining how the organization works to create real value.

However, many initiatives fail before they even take off because they fail to consolidate three key elements: vision, alignment, and commitment.

This is not just an idea from Trascend. It’s a lesson learned and documented in McKinsey’s book Rewired, which in its first chapter highlights these three pillars as crucial for a successful digital transformation.

Vision: Defining a clear and shared North Star

A digital transformation without vision is like setting sail with no destination. You can move, but you have no idea where you’re going or why.

Vision defines where we’re headed and why it matters to the organization. And it’s important to understand that it’s not just about digitizing processes — it’s about creating value aligned with the business strategy.

In Rewired, McKinsey emphasizes that this vision must align with the company’s overall strategy.

For example, if a bank’s strategic pillars are sustainability, growth, and efficiency, its digital vision must amplify those same goals.

Real case:

A regional bank in Latin America tried to digitize its services without a clear vision. They launched multiple isolated initiatives, each with its own logic and agenda. Without a shared direction, the result was fragmentation and internal resistance.

The solution:

Bringing the leadership team together in a digital aspiration workshop, where they jointly built a vision connecting the transformation to the business strategy. Only with this clear North Star could the transformation move forward with direction.

Key tools to define Vision:

• Digital aspiration workshop with the leadership team

• Change story that explains the “why” behind the transformation

• Communication plan to ensure the entire organization understands and embraces the vision

Alignment: More than understanding — owning an active role

A clear vision without alignment is like having a map without a team to read it.

In many organizations, the digital area moves forward alone, while the business continues operating as usual.

Alignment bridges the gap between intention and execution.

Alignment is not just about communication. It’s about ensuring that every leader understands their role in the transformation and how they need to contribute.

Many transformations fail because leaders see digitalization as an IT issue, when in reality, it requires cross-functional effort.

Real case:

In one bank, the business director said: “I know the digital team is moving fast, but I don’t understand digital. What’s my role? How do I sync with compliance, legal, and technology?”

This type of disconnect is common and represents a critical barrier to transformation.

The solution:

Create a tailored upskilling program for business executives, helping them understand the essentials of digital transformation and their key role in it.

Key tools to ensure Alignment:

• Upskilling programs for key leaders

• Clear map of roles and responsibilities

• Collaboration models between areas, integrating business, compliance, legal, and technology

Commitment: Turning strategy into real decisions

Digital transformation doesn’t move forward without real commitment from senior leadership.

Saying “it’s a priority” isn’t enough. Real commitment isn’t measured by speeches — it’s measured by tough decisions: allocating resources, removing barriers, and prioritizing transformation over daily operations.

Real case:

A bank aiming to accelerate its digital transformation identified the need to hire data scientists.

However, there was internal resistance: “They’re expensive, and we’re still not clear on how we’ll use them”.

The solution:

The transformation leader, supported by the CEO, was clear: “If we truly believe in this transformation, we need to invest in the talent necessary to make it happen”.

Key tools to ensure Commitment:

• Incentive models for those driving the change

• Progress tracking mechanisms to monitor key decisions and milestones

• Clear governance structure to quickly resolve roadblocks

  
  

Without vision, alignment, and commitment, transformation stays just a speech

Most failed transformations don’t collapse due to lack of technology or budget, but because they lack these three essential pillars:

• Without vision, efforts have no direction

• Without alignment, teams work in silos

• Without commitment, change stays in words and never becomes reality

If your transformation is moving forward without a clear North Star, without aligned leaders, and without firm decisions from the top, it’s time to rethink the path. At Trascend, we help organizations make this possible.

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