What Is The Right Pace For Digital Transformation?

By Peter Kraft, Senior Practice Lead and Solution Architect, Xylem

When thinking about digital transformation, many water utilities imagine a radical overhaul of operations and a significant increase in productivity and other gains. While this can and does happen, it rarely happens overnight. In truth, the digital journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Utilities are more likely to succeed if they map out big-picture goals and then start with small projects. This requires focusing on what quality data can deliver upfront and building thoughtfully on each success.

The critical nature of the service that water utilities provide means that many are reasonably risk-averse. However, this aversion sometimes inhibits operators from experimenting. While no one wants to put their job or the health of their community on the line, it is important for water utilities to take calculated risks when it comes to applying digital tools. It therefore falls on leadership to overcommunicate what is acceptable and demonstrate it.