The Digital Innovation team is the source of vision, knowledge and experience in how technologies will transform the way a company does business. It is the hearth of the Transformation program and will cement the ability of the organization to innovate identifying and adopting future technologies beyond the initial change initiative.

Name and purpose

While the name may change depending on company size and convention (e.g. Digital Innovation Center in larger corporations, Digital Innovation Team in smaller ones, Digital Excellence Center after becoming a Digital leader) the purpose is similar: a compact but assertive group of specialists to lead the design and implementation of the initiatives that bring to life the Digital Transformation.

Responsibilities and influence

Organization

The team is usually structured to match the mayor “themes” or initiatives that form the basis of the Digital Strategy: Data Analytics, Customer Engagement, Digital Marketing, Process Automation, and so on. They are part of the same team (formally or virtually) to ensure that the plans they manage are aligned and connected.

In smaller organizations, this may be one of only two functions that report to the Chief Digital Officer, and in most cases will rely on a sister function, the Transformation Office, to orchestrate the Digital Strategy, the rollout of projects and drive change.

The Digital Innovation team is one -if not the- most impactful and cost-effective investment of the Digital Transformation program. Independent from line of business organizations and IT, they will focus on innovation regardless of short-term pressures or complacency.