Design and design thinking role in a digital transformation

¹ Ural Institute of Management, branch of Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy&Public Administration (RANEPA), Ekaterinburg, Russia
² Technical University of UMMC, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia

^* Corresponding author: v.cherepanov@outlook.com

Abstract

This article embraces a design and design thinking role in a digital transformation based on an author’s concept of digital transformation of industrial enterprise. Design is usually considered as a process of making something attractive or convenient, but in this research it’s role is displayed in a management context of processes, those should be changed with digital transforming solutions. Authors of this research found out that design practice in a digital transformation becomes a core competency, that allows to gain real practical efficient changes, those couldn’t be reached only by digital transformation cases implementation. Authors also found out that design as managerial practice allows to shorten digital transformation roadmaps, which are usually constructed with the same “bricks” of proof-of-concept, MVP and final projects, those shape the way as an IT project, but not as a project of process change based on digital solutions. The new suggested approach makes the way of digital maturity development more efficient and allows to get better results in a digital transformation project.