Abstract

The ongoing digitalization is reshaping both society and business practices, necessitating a proactive response from companies to harness the potential of digital data, software, and ecosystems. (Schildt, 2020) This thesis aims to empower Organization X for future growth by providing enhanced tools and a deeper understanding of its operations.

The thesis study revolves around the central research question: How to develop a digitalization strategy for software organization? This question serves as the cornerstone of the study. The main research question is supported by sub-research questions aimed at providing comprehensive insights into the digitalization process.

The structured theoretical framework guides the thesis through the digitalization journey. Analyzing business strategy, establishing a clear vision and mission, and using the OKR methodology to define achievable objectives aligned with the mission. The theory section includes Kotter's 8 Steps Process for a structured approach to initiate organizational change and gain employee support. Additionally exploring continuous learning in dynamic environments, emphasizing the role of technology in shaping learning methodologies. It encourages for fostering a learning culture within companies undergoing change, emphasizing the importance of understanding influencing factors throughout the change process. Before initiating the change process, a comprehensive understanding of digitalization, including principles, maturity levels, and methodologies, is crucial.

To assess the current status, eight employees of Organization X were interviewed with open-ended questions related to the theoretical framework. Key discovery from the interviews indicates that although Organization X is committed in investing in software development of its core business, a notable gap is identified in the attention given to auxiliary software and processes related to them. The communication and ownership inside Organization X regard-ing them has been suboptimal. If these important components receive insufficient focus, it can potentially lead to hindering the organization's overall understanding and implementation of digital transformation.

To address these challenges, this study include suggestions for adopting the Roadmapping technique and conducting a digital maturity assessment. These measures aim to provide a clearer understanding of the current digitalization state and prioritize development needs effectively. Additionally, enhancing stakeholder involvement and designating a responsible person for overseeing the digitalization journey are proposed to ensure successful implementation of strategies and initiatives.

Implementing a digitalization plan requires significant time and effort, emphasizing the need for effective communication. The understanding of strategic objectives, and tools like the eight-stage approach could enhance the success of implementing and anchoring change. Future research should explore the software ecosystem concept at a deeper level.

Keywords: Digitalization strategy, Business strategy, Strategy tools, Digitalization