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Writer's pictureLuciana Miranda

Have you ever had to put out fires with digital projects?

Você já teve que apagar incêndios com projetos digitais?

Unveiled challenges, successfully completed digital projects.


Imagine that each digital transformation project involves a complex journey. Many companies enter this challenge already with tight deadlines and ambitious goals, seeking to find the most immediate solution when faced with a "firefighting" situation. Others, however, bring a map and a compass - a clear strategy and a long-term vision - to successfully navigate the journey.


In this article, you will read about:

  • Successful projects represent the minority

  • Most common mistakes in digital transformation

  • The path to success

  • Choosing the right strategy

  • Building lasting relationships

  • Surviving or thriving indeed


Let's face the truth: most digital projects deviate from the ideal course


Unexpected challenges arise, requirements change, and ROI forecasts often need adjustments.


In this context, it is crucial to understand: is your project really leading to effective digital transformation or is it just meant to tackle emergency situations?


The fact is that often the identified challenge is clear, but analyzing the complexity involved may not be so straightforward. This is because digitalization is not limited to technology alone; it encompasses data, processes, people, and best practices.


In this context, the ability of a digital services partner to extract these nuances and deeply understand the needs of customers not only defines the effectiveness of the solution but also establishes the credentials of those who will follow this digital journey.


Successful projects are the minority


According to the Advanced Digital Technologies, Telework, and Cybersecurity survey of 2022 by PINTEC in partnership with IBGE, 31.5% of Brazilian medium and large industries used two technologies in 2022, and 27.7% used only one.


And although digitalization has represented an increase in operational efficiency for 87.6% of respondents, costs and lack of qualified labor were pointed out as factors that hinder the transformation process.


Despite good intentions, many CIOs struggle to achieve business results with digital transformation strategies. According to Gartner, 89% of companies integrate digital into their growth strategies, but only 35% are on the right track to achieve transformation goals.


Failures often result from successive unassertive decisions, such as prioritizing many initiatives without a clear vision, neglecting collaboration and communication principles, over-customizing solutions, investing little in the development of digital pioneers, and making data-driven decisions without a solid strategy.


Other obstacles cited by executives, according to a 2023 PwC study, are:


  • Structure and culture - 56%;

  • Lack of experience in digital projects - 28%;

  • Lack of vision of a business model - 21%;

  • Risk aversion - 20%;

  • Little technical knowledge - 14%.


In companies where the leaders' vision, usually associated with changing the model of their main business, and that of IT executives, more linked to modernization, are aligned, the return on investments tends to be higher.


Most common errors in digital transformation


Errors are so frequent that they have already been classified into categories. Understand the five main ones that lead to failure in digital transformation projects:


  1. Prioritizing too many initiatives without a shared vision, creating confusion and unrealistic expectations.

  2. Neglecting to define collaboration and communication principles, essential to expand transformation initiatives.

  3. Over-customizing solutions to meet all requirements, resulting in a lack of focus and priorities dominated by stakeholders.

  4. Investing too little in the development of digital pioneers, crucial to successfully lead transformation initiatives.


Driving KPIs and data-driven decisions without a solid strategy, which can lead to misleading metrics and poor data quality.


The path to success


To overcome these risks and emerge victorious along the digital journey, companies need to adopt a holistic approach, which includes:

  • In-depth analysis of needs: understanding business needs beyond technology is essential to ensure that the chosen solution is the most suitable.

  • Change management: implementing effective change management strategies can facilitate the transition and ensure a smoother adoption of new practices.

  • Strategic alignment: aligning all aspects of the project with the company's broader business strategy ensures that digital transformation is in line with long-term goals.


Choosing the right strategy


The choice between a reactive firefighting approach and a strategic, well-planned digital transformation is what determines the future of a project. Successfully evolving on the digital journey requires more than quick responses to emerging problems; it requires a long-term vision, a well-defined strategy, and careful execution.


Building lasting relationships


As challenges are unraveled and projects are successfully delivered, the natural path is to build lasting relationships. It is an art that involves more than simple business transactions; it is a synergy based on trust, effective communication, and shared commitments.


These elements are essential for successful and sustainable partnerships, establishing fertile ground for mutual growth and long-term goal achievement.


  • Trust and transparency: by closely aligning its solutions with customer needs, AP Digital Services builds a solid foundation of trust and transparency, essential for any lasting B2B relationship.

  • Effective communication: clear and open communication is vital. AP Digital Services prioritizes understanding customer needs and strives to keep lines of communication open, facilitating constructive and ongoing dialogue.

  • Mutual commitment: sharing common values and goals strengthens mutual commitment to the success of the relationship. AP Digital Services endeavors to understand and align with its clients' long-term goals, ensuring deeper and more meaningful engagement.


Surviving or thriving indeed


It is clear that the choice between a reactive or strategic approach can define the success of your planning.


It is the difference between simply surviving and thriving in the modern business landscape. Companies must, therefore, carefully evaluate their strategies and choose a path that not only addresses current challenges but also paves the way for future, sustainable success.





Luciana Miranda






Professional with over 20 years of experience in product development and innovation. Luciana has worked in major companies such as CI&T, Coca-Cola Company, and Accenture.



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