10 mistakes in the digitization process – how not to throw money down the drain?

Do you dream of a modern, digitized company? Great! But beware – many entrepreneurs make the same mistakes that lead to failure.

In this article, I will tell you what you need to watch out for. Digitalization – learn the 10 mistakes that entrepreneurs most often make when implementing new technologies and how not to kill your own business with technological transformation.

Imagine trying to teach an old dog new tricks. This is exactly what digital transformation looks like in most companies. Sometimes we want to make a revolution, and we get a small, harmless change. Does this mean that it’s not worth digitizing old manufacturing companies? Absolutely not, but you need to do it with your head to avoid typical mistakes.

A very common mistake is to take too short a time to implement overall changes. You need to approach plant automation planning strategically. You try to anticipate absolutely everything from the very beginning. You forget that the first version will never be perfect, because when we do something for the first time, we can’t anticipate everything. Instead of creating monumental documentation that won’t cover all possible scenarios anyway, start with a small pilot project. Plan the solution with a vision of the end, create an actual map of the area you want to digitize. Then test and gradually develop solutions. Remember: Krakow was not built from scratch. A digitized company, too.

Imagine that the systems and machines in your manufacturing plant are like a multinational environment at a political summit. Each newcomer speaks a different language. Until they find common ground, they won’t solve the problem they face, they won’t create a coherent strategy.

If your machines and control systems don’t “speak” the same language, you are condemning yourself to half-hearted solutions. Map your machinery, create communication standards, and think about an integration layer that will connect the different systems.

Deciding for everyone without consulting the process of implementing new technologies? Know that not involving teams at the planning stage is a guarantee of failure. The more perspectives you include, the better you will understand the real needs. Work on the implementation with individual departments so you don’t rely on faulty assumptions. Don’t be afraid to involve key employees – they will become ambassadors of change.

Are you acting ad hoc, without a long-term plan? Be aware that haphazard projects and focusing on point solutions (here and now I have a problem, so I’m trying to solve it, I’m not thinking about the whole puzzle) end up in a lack of standardization, and this does not bode well for success. Stop putting out fires with ad hoc solutions! Digitization is not a one-time project, but a strategic direction of development. Think ahead, preferably three years or even five years ahead.

Buying more tools without a broader context is a road to nowhere. It will be more beneficial if you create a digitization map that takes into account all areas of the business and allows you to scale your solutions effectively. Each activity and solution is like a puzzle that makes up the whole picture of your production facility. Make sure they are in their places, otherwise your success will be a hole.

You think you can figure everything out on your own. You’re afraid to trust experts outside the company. You don’t want your know-how to go outside the organization. Don’t kid yourself – neither you nor your team has access to secret knowledge, and outside consultants can help you save a lot of money and nerves. The best solution? A hybrid model – an internal team supported by external consultants.

It so happens that the company has some costly failure or someone is hurt. In such a situation, many entrepreneurs try to immediately alleviate the issue, losing sight of the context. Remember: digitization is not a one-time sprint, but a marathon. Avoid acting on emotion and impulse. Build a stable, repeatable strategy that will give you predictability and security.

If you are trying to leap 30 years of technological development in a week, say goodbye to satisfactory results. Digitization of production is not a revolution. Rest assured, you’ll get there in time with everything, but in small steps. If your machines are from the 1970s, don’t try to implement artificial intelligence and predictive maintenance right away.

Every digital solution must have a business case. Don’t ask “How much does it cost?”, ask “How much will I save?”. Counting Return on Investment ( ROI) is the cornerstone of a successful transformation.

If you give even the best car to someone who has never driven it, it won’t do its job. The same is true of new technologies. Implementing new technological solutions is just the beginning. Employees need time to get used to the change. Help them with this, organize training to prepare the team to operate the new systems, maintain them, administer them, perhaps service them.

Digitization is not a day trip. It’s a journey accompanied by challenges, uncertainty, but also great satisfaction when everything starts working like a well-oiled machine. Act with planning, consistency and a vision of the end. Small, thoughtful pilot projects that you gradually build are your recipe for success.

Good luck with your digital transformation!