This is the first in a series of articles on the five states of digital transformation.

The newly launched Public Sector Construction Digital Transformation Playbook details five important states in a digital transformation journey. Published by the Global BIM Network, the Playbook explains how programmes transition through the states of justifying, mobilising , developing, implementing and scaling to successfully achieve their outcomes.

Richard Lane is the Network’s Knowledge & Capacity Building Lead. He says that while it is helpful to learn about the five states in this order, programmes do not always follow a linear sequence. “The states describe a set of circumstances rather than a timeline.”

Justifying is when desired changes are identified, and stakeholder support is gained. It builds the case for change, aligns the objectives of the programme with wider priorities and enables the programme to proceed. It is typically the first part of a transformation journey, although it may overlap with mobilising a programme. Similarly, it may be necessary to revisit the justifying state at several points throughout a programme.

This article looks at the key challenges each of three user types, or personas, may face in the justifying state. It also outlines five key considerations and three typical outputs.

Key challenges for personas

The Playbook can help multiple personas, whether they are a policy maker, part of a transformation team, or an owner, procurer or operator.

A policy or strategy persona usually drives the justifying state, providing initial instruction and leadership, and publishing the outputs. They might also identify and recruit a leader of the transformation team to transition into the mobilising state. If justifying is being revisited during the life of the programme, a policy maker may request the revisit and assess the case for continued investment.

Usually, the transformation programme persona would not be formed at the early stages of justifying. However, they would be a lot more active if justifying is being revisited as part of an in-progress transformation programme.

A procurer, owner or operator might influence the policy / strategy persona to initiate a transformation programme. They could also represent the needs of the ‘problem owner’ and / or provide information on the current state to establish baseline measures and identify priority challenges and opportunities.

Five considerations

In the justifying state, the following considerations are addressed:

• Establishing a collective understanding of what BIM is and why it is of value;
• Understanding the challenges and opportunities;
• Defining the strategic principles for the programme;
• Securing the authority and resources to commence or continue a programme; and
• Establishing and maintaining leadership.

Typical outputs

The Playbook links to real world examples from across the globe which can be downloaded from the Network’s digital knowledge base, the Information Collection. Three typical outputs in the justifying state are:

• External / peer landscape reviews
• Formal approval to commence or continue
• Policy / public commitment
  

Read the Public Sector Construction Digital Transformation Playbook

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Look out for the next in our series of articles on the five transformational states