Digital transformation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s survival. Yet, more than 70% of digital initiatives fail to meet expectations. Why? The roadblocks are real—and often predictable
Digital transformation is more than a system upgrade. It’s a shift in mindset, operations, and culture. Over the years, I’ve seen a few key challenges repeatedly prevent companies from moving forward.
Two, in particular, tend to stall progress:
- Trying to account for every possible scenario in current systems and processes
- Worrying about timing due to past or projected financial performance
These concerns are valid, but they don’t have to stall progress. With the right approach, I’ve seen companies push through these hurdles and set themselves up for long-term success.
Let Go of the Need to Solve Everything
It’s tempting to try and build a solution for every possible edge case. But that often leads to analysis paralysis. Instead of designing for every “what if,” successful organizations align around what matters most.
That’s where a North Star comes in.
A North Star document outlines the guiding principles of a transformation. It defines what’s truly important, keeps priorities clear, and serves as a decision-making framework when conflicts arise. This alignment helps teams focus on progress, not perfection.
There’s Rarely a Perfect Time to Transform
Companies often wait for stable financials or ideal conditions to begin transformation. The truth is, that perfect moment rarely arrives. Transformation often needs to happen while business is still being run—and sometimes with the same limited resources.
One of the most impactful projects I’ve worked on started in the middle of the COVID shutdown. The company had no revenue and no clear reopening timeline, but the leadership team made the bold choice to move forward with an ERP transformation. It wasn’t about the short-term—it was about building for the future.
What Set Us Up for Success
- Executive Buy-in: A committed leadership team that stayed engaged
- Clear Priorities: A North Star document that clarified the “why”
- Empowered Teams: Ownership at every level
- Best-in-Class Standards: We didn’t reinvent—just adopted what worked
- Strong Partner: TopBloc guided us, challenged assumptions, and delivered
What We Achieved
- Project delivered on time and on budget, with no change orders
- Operating expenses reduced by 25 percent
- Financial close shortened from 20+ days to just 4
- Stronger employee engagement through ongoing training and feedback
- Faster, more informed decision-making with better tools and insights
This experience reinforced what I’ve seen many times, when companies stay aligned, focus on their guiding principles, and partner with the right team, transformation becomes not only possible but powerful.
Ready to move forward with your digital transformation? The Office of Customer Experience at TopBloc is comprised of HR, Finance, and IT executives with firsthand Workday experience from the client-side. We understand the challenges you face with legacy systems and technical debt, and we’re here to help guide you through the process.
Brett Fahrner, VP of Customer Experience, Office of the CIO
Brett Fahrner, a veteran CIO with over 22 years of experience, has led IT teams across multiple industries, guiding leadership in building enterprise technology stacks that drive growth. He has implemented enterprise systems, overseen international M&A transactions, and managed technology through periods of rapid expansion. Brett’s expertise helps organizations navigate transformation with the right technology strategy.
