Corporate digitization and Lean Digital: when Process Intelligence meets the power of technology

For companies, the imperative is no longer just “innovate,” but “transform” throughconscious business digitization. But how do you navigate this sea of opportunity without getting lost or, worse, digitizing pre-existing inefficiencies?

The answer lies in an integrated approach that combines Lean Thinking and Digital Transformation. Two seemingly distinct worlds, but strongly synergistic: the former is concerned with improving processes, the latter with enhancing them through the most suitable technologies.

Introduction to Lean Digital: simplicity and efficiency for business digitization in the service of value

Before talking about business digitization, it is useful to recall the basic principles of Lean Thinking. Originating in the Japanese manufacturing sector, Lean promotes value-oriented management for the customer, eliminating all forms of waste along the value chain.

Imagine a manufacturing process or service: Lean teaches us to look at it with critical eyes, identifying bottlenecks, unnecessary waits, unnecessary movements, rework-anything that lengthens time and affects costs without benefiting the end customer.

The five core principles of Lean are a valuable guide:

• Value: define what the customer is really willing to pay, putting yourself in his or her shoes.
• Value Flow: map each step, from idea to finished product, to identify waste and inefficiencies.
• Continuous Flow: create a seamless path where the product or service moves fluidly.
• Production “Pull” (Pull): produce only when there is a real demand from the customer, avoiding overproduction and unnecessary inventory.
• Perfection: a constant commitment to improvement, never stopping.

This systems approach transforms an organization from reactive, handling problems when they arise, to preventive, able to anticipate them. But for the big leap into the digital age, one more step is needed.

From preventive to predictive: the Lean & Digital synergy

One of the most common pitfalls in digital transformation is to introduce advanced technologies on processes that have not yet been optimized. In such cases, there is a risk of getting a more “technological” version of the same wastes: a transformation that is only apparent.

It is therefore essential first to analyze, simplify, and improve processes, and only then to introduce digital tools, which will then be able to achieve their full potential.

It is like paving a road full of potholes: the result will be a more “modern” but still bumpy road.

”Without the contribution of the Lean approach, in fact, what we risk digitizing, with dangerous consequences, is waste.”

From preventive to predictive: the quantum leap in enterprise digitization

When digital meets already efficient processes, a multiplier effect is triggered. Some examples of the opportunities generated:

• Integration of data across the value chain, in real time, improving visibility and responsiveness.
• Predictive maintenance, based on data collected from sensors, directly impacting efficiency and cost.
• New business models, enabled by digitization, such as smart after-sales services or integrated digital platforms.

In this perspective, digital transformation is not only technological: it is strategic and cultural.

The key role of people and culture

A key aspect, too often underestimated, is the role of human capital. Digital transformation is not just a technological issue; it is, first and foremost, a cultural and organizational change. Statistics tell us that a significant percentage of digitization projects fail, often not because of technological limitations, but because of failure to manage the human and organizational factor.

This is why we emphasize the importance of:

• An open and innovative culture: one that sees challenges as opportunities and is not afraid to experiment.
• Involved and trained people: open-minded, willing to get involved and acquire new skills. Staff retraining and continuing education are the real pillars of this revolution.
• Enlightened leadership: capable of driving change, supporting teams, and promoting collaboration.

A structured path to excellence

1. Experience in this field has made it possible to outline a structured path for the introduction of a model, we refer here to the Lean & Digital Transformation model in the company Assessment (Evaluation): it starts from a “snapshot” of the current state, analyzing the digital maturity of the company at 360 degrees (processes, organization, IT systems, skills). This makes it possible to identify the most promising gaps and areas of intervention.
2. Strategy Definition: the vision is translated into a clear digital strategy, aligning business objectives with the opportunities offered by new technologies.
3. Digital Agenda: concrete projects are selected and prioritized, based on a careful assessment of feasibility, impact and return on investment (ROI).
4. Execution: the phase in which projects come to life, with a constant focus on change management and people involvement to ensure that new solutions are effectively integrated throughout the value chain.

It is crucial to emphasize that, contrary to popular belief, technology is often not the most critical factor. The cost of various digital technologies has become affordable even for manufacturing SMEs. The most delicate aspect, which requires time commitment and resources, is organizational and Human Capital management. Digital transformation, in fact, involves an upheaval in managerial and organizational practices, promoting more horizontal leadership and greater collaboration to arrive at fully efficient business digitization. This requires the development of new interpersonal skills, in addition to the necessary digital⁷ skills. It is an extremely interesting challenge for everyone, requiring vision, courage and transparency.

The expected results: efficiency, speed and new value spaces

When process improvement and digital adoption proceed together, the benefits are clear and concrete:

• Reduction in time to market
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• Better accuracy in forecasting and planning
• Reduced costs related to quality, inventory, and maintenance
• More productivity thanks to intelligent automation
• Faster decisions thanks to up-to-date and reliable data

In addition, a new culture of transparency and continuous learning is developed, which can attract talent and generate sustainable innovation over time.

Not just transform, but rethink

The digital transformation is not about tools, but about vision, method, and people. It is not just about “doing better” what you have always done, but about radically rethinking how you create value, how you make decisions, and how you evolve your business model.

Only those who approach this journey with awareness and strategy will be able to fully seize the opportunities of the digital age.

If you would like to explore how these principles and methodologies of business digitization can be applied to your reality and find out how it translates into concrete paths to growth and innovation, please visit our Digital transformation Services page.