Digital maturity is a key approach to understand and advance digital transformation of our humanitarian services across the network. It sets a way forward in our collective digital transformation journey by recognizing differing levels of data and digital capabilities, and provides a basis to assess progress.
The digital maturity approach is based on a framework which consists of three domains: people, process and technology. The framework recognizes that digital transformation is as much about people and culture as it is about processes and technology
National Societies can use the framework to formulate their digital transformation journey from one step to the next, from paper-based practices to system-level change. The aim of the approach is to accelerate the necessary culture, structure and technology needed to support a wholescale, equitable digital transformation. This includes building data and digital literacy and forming purposeful partnerships, both internal and external.
From paper-based to system-change
National Societies in step 1 are at the beginning of their digital transformation journey. Most of their processes are paper-based and analog. There is a common understanding that digital transformation is needed, but it is not yet prioritized, neither is it clear how digital transformation should happen. National Societies are working to get basic infrastructure in place, such as a stable internet connection and telecommunications.
For National Societies in step 2, some resources for data and digital development have been made available. Multidisciplinary data and digital teams collect and share data across the entire organisation for analysis and informed insights.
National societies in step 3 mainstream digital transformation across the entire organisation. The organisation is data-driven and digital services are implemented with impact. Flexible and scalable IT build new services.
Mapping people, process and technology
The digital maturity matrix has been used by over 45 National Societies across the IFRC network to map their current capacities on people, process and technology. This provides a base to develop a roadmap for digital transformation. The framework guides National Societies to assess for themselves: based on where we are now, where do we want to go to, and how do we get there?
Mapping digital maturity can be done in multiple ways. Just like there is no overall strategy for all national societies across the IFRC, there is also no single blueprint for how the digital maturity matrix should be applied. The IFRC Digital Transformation team offers National Societies guidance to formulate a methodology that fits the local context, in terms of organizational culture and available resources. This guidance is based on a collective vocabulary of people, process and technology.
If you want to find out how the digital maturity framework compares to other IFRC assessments and development processes, click here.
Do you want to learn more about the digital maturity framework, and assess if it could serve your needs? Please contact us via data.digital@ifrc.org. We will be happy to hear from you, also if you are external to the IFRC network.