Online ExpertTrack in Business & Management

Introduction to Digital Transformation

Learn how digital transformation works and the factors that impact an organisation’s successful transformation.

Created by

The Open UniversityThe Open University

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In collaboration with

Target InternetTarget Internet

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Develop essential knowledge to prepare for successful digital transformation

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new, or adapt existing, business processes, culture and customer experiences so an organisation is fit for purpose. It’s also about developing an organisation’s ability to keep pace with change in today’s modern and rapidly evolving environment.

Most industries have been disrupted by technology, leading to radical changes in the business environment. For some, this has created opportunities to be more efficient, offer new services and outpace the competition. For others, it’s led to declining profits, decreasing market share or business failure.

This ExpertTrack will help you get to grips with the core concepts of digital transformation and the essential factors needed for organisations to succeed in this fast-paced environment.

Explore what digital transformation is and how to do it successfully

Using frameworks and video interviews, you’ll learn what digital transformation is, discover what drives the need for transformation and consider success factors and potential problems that differentiate a successful digital transformation from one that fails.

Delving into case studies of organisations that have succeeded or struggled in their transformation efforts, you’ll explore the ten areas of digital capability that research has shown most often help or hinder digital transformation.

You’ll examine the importance of leadership, team ability, market readiness, resources, strategy, governance, infrastructure, measurement, financial and innovation capabilities, and gain valuable insights into how to prepare an organisation for an effective transformation.

Develop a digital transformation strategy for your organisation

You’ll learn about different strategic approaches to digital transformation and how to define the scope of work. You’ll also discover how to assess levels of understanding in an organisation, carry out a benchmarking audit to evaluate digital capability, and use insights to develop your strategic approach and better manage your stakeholders.

Build your digital transformation skillset with digital experts

By the end of your learning, you’ll have essential digital transformation know-how. You’ll benefit from practical training created by The Open University in collaboration with industry expert Daniel Rowles of Target Internet. Daniel has over two decades of experience planning and implementing digital activity, is the voice behind the Digital Marketing Podcast and is an award-winning author.

Key skills you will learn

  • How to scope a digital transformation project
  • Assess digital transformation success and failure factors
  • Digital transformation auditing
  • Identify opportunities in embracing change
  • Identify changing industry demands
  • Identify digital transformation challenges
  • Use digital capability benchmarking to support decision-making
  • Use benchmarking insights for stakeholder management
  • Apply strategic approaches to digital transformation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the ExpertTrack, you’ll be able to...

  • Define digital transformation and its objectives
  • Understand the core aspects of digital transformation and its impact on organisations
  • Assess the digital capability of an organisation to support decision-making
  • Analyse different digital transformation challenges
  • Explore different approaches to achieving a successful digital transformation

Experience required

This ExpertTrack is for anyone who’d like to develop their understanding and confidence in digital transformation. You don’t need prior digital transformation knowledge to join, although work experience will help contextualise and enhance your learning.

Each course is delivered and explained in a way that’s suitable for beginners or those with some experience of digital transformation.

The courses in this ExpertTrack have been designed to complement each other, so it’s recommended that you take them in the order presented to get the best out of your learning.

Getting started

This ExpertTrack is particularly suitable for:

  • Those new to digital transformation who want to build their knowledge and skillset
  • Those who want to develop a digital transformation plan for an organisation or client
  • More experienced practitioners who want to cement their knowledge of the latest trends

As digital transformation applies to all organisations, from small businesses to global multinationals, the skills and principles you will learn can be applied to all types of organisations and sectors around the world.

ExpertTrack course overview

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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How ExpertTracks work

Join an ExpertTrack to master new skills in your chosen specialist area. Work through a series of topic-focused courses at your own pace, and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate award which proves your expertise.

Join a free 7-day trial

Decide if the ExpertTrack is right for you with free access to the full suite of courses and assessments for a week.

Keep learning for $39/month

Pay a monthly subscription fee of $39 for as long as it takes you to complete the ExpertTrack. You can learn at your own pace and cancel at any time.

Earn digital certificates

Receive a certificate for every completed course and pass the final assessment to earn a digital certificate.

Become an expert

Use your specialist training to progress further in your career or build expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

World-class learning with The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

This ExpertTrack is in collaboration with Target Internet

Target Internet delivers digital training to some of the world’s leading organisations, as well as building online learning that is used in over 100 countries worldwide.

Meet your instructor

MD TargetInternet.com - helping upskill the world's leading organisations in Digital Marketing & Digital Transformation.

Host of the Digital Marketing Podcast, a global top 20 business podcast.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

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  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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FAQ

ExpertTracks are a series of online courses designed to help you master new skills in specialist areas. You pay a monthly subscription fee which includes access to all courses within the ExpertTrack, as well as assessments and the final digital certificate.

Each ExpertTrack comes with a 7-day free trial period. You may cancel your subscription at any time and your subscription will automatically cancel when you finish the courses and assessments in your chosen ExpertTrack.

Yes. All of our ExpertTracks come with a 7-day free trial. You may claim one free trial period per ExpertTrack.

You have seven days before you will be charged your first monthly subscription fee. When you join an ExpertTrack you automatically receive a 7-day free trial period. You can cancel at any time during the trial period and no payment will be taken from your account.

Please see our full refund policy here.

No, all of our ExpertTracks consist of fully online courses. This means you can take an ExpertTrack from anywhere in the world.

No. ExpertTracks are designed for you to master new skills in a specialist area. You will earn a digital certificate that proves your learning, but it does not carry accreditation.

If you’re looking for certified or accredited courses, many of our microcredentials offer university credit or professional certification.

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