A new report from McLean & Company has concluded that human resources professionals are crucial to the success of digital transformation initiatives. The global HR research and advisory firm has published HR’s Role in Driving Meaningful Digital Transformation, offering insights into how HR can navigate rapid technological advancements and contribute to long-term organizational impact.
“An expanded understanding of what success means for digital transformation uncovers the potential of HR’s pivotal contributions, leveraging its expertise in managing the people side of the organization,” said Lisa Highfield, principal director of HR Technology and AI at McLean & Company.
The report outlines four critical tactical success factors that HR can activate:
- Culture
- People and relationships
- Skilled and empowered employees
- Change management
According to the research, HR brings a critical lens of people management to digital transformation, including considerations around culture, workload, employee engagement, inclusion, and equity. While technological advancements traditionally fall under IT’s jurisdiction, the exclusion of HR is a significant misstep for organizations seeking long-term success.
“Technology either disrupts or disrupts and transforms organizations,” Highfield said. “It will be HR that identifies which elements of the current culture will best serve the organization through digital transformation, and which elements are getting in the way of desired outcomes.”
The resource addresses the urgency for HR’s involvement, highlighting that organizations are 2.7 times more likely to be highly effective at generating and implementing new ideas and 1.8 times more likely to change quickly at scale when HR is a strategic partner.
McLean & Company advises HR leaders to assess their organization’s current state of the tactical critical success factors and focus resources strategically. “With limited capacity and resources, it is impossible for HR to effectively cover all critical success factors simultaneously,” the report states.
The firm recommends that HR teams remain anticipatory to support their organizations in staying competitive and innovative in the future of work. “HR’s value as a culture steward cannot be overstated,” said Highfield. “As people experts, HR plays the primary role in activating the critical success factors and amplifying the necessary behaviours to support success.”
McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm that provides evidence-based research and tools to HR professionals, helping shape workplaces where everyone thrives.