8OCTOBER - 2022TECH OUTLOOKBy Philippe Caby, CIO, Centrient PharmaceuticalsEven if all budgets will be constrained in the post Covid economy, expectations on digital transformation will continue to grow because pharma companies need, more than ever before the sustainable competitive advantages it can deliver.Although the evolution of technology enablers has never been so fast, a lot of digital transformation will still be failing to deliver these expected benefits. Here are a couple of steps to maximize the chances of success of digital transformation in pharma:Step number one addresses the "WHY": defining the digital transformation purpose. Depending on your company, it can go from improved customer experience, compliant manufacturing, operational excellence, accelerated product development, ...Since the beginning of my career, twenty years ago, the technologies available have grown exponentially. So, it has become more and more important to structure the choice of the technologies that have the highest potential to enable our business goals. Indeed, technology is not an aim per se in the pharma industry, and this step will be key to focus investments where it can add maximum value to your company.Technology investments have to be agreed at the highest level with the executive committee(incl. the CEO) to make sure your digital transformation is aligned to the overall enterprise strategy. This is also a way to ensure the appropriate level of change management and sponsorship from the line management to effectively land new solutions in the operations. It is incredibly hard to agree on a way to measure success of technology initiatives when you create silos between functions.Off course tracking per function is good for the cost part of the equation, but the value part is much easier to measure at enterprise level. Doing so will also generate enterprise thinking and collaboration to reach a shared goal.Aligning on the purpose also requires IT to partner with each function of the company showing deep understanding of their business. Ideally, each business leadership team should include an IT representative to develop this partnership. These profiles can come from a technology, consulting or business background, but need to use those three competencies to succeed.Once the digital transformation purpose is defined and you've agreed on business measures of success with the sponsors, it will serve as an input to choose which initiatives Philippe CabyTHREE STEPS TO SUCCEED WITH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN PHARMAIN MY OPINION
< Page 7 | Page 9 >