Here’s an interesting observation about how digitalization, automation, and project implementation really happen in organizations.
One of the key conditions for successful implementation is having a clear and honest understanding of what we want and what we’re dealing with. In other words knowing where we are now (Point A) and where we want to go (Point B).
This is where most organizations fall into a trap. Everyone starts envisioning the perfect Point B, the better one, automated, optimized future. Imagination takes over, bold strategies are born. But Point A the current reality is conveniently left out of the picture.
It’s understandable: the present state of affairs often feels so uncomfortable or “wrong” that no one wants to look at it. And if they do, the reaction is often to close their eyes and say, “No, that’s not about us.”
But an honest analysis of Point A, understanding the root causes and the scale of the problems is essential. Without it, it’s impossible to build a realistic route to Point B. And more often than not, that route isn’t a single leap, but a series of steps: implementation — adjustment — reimplementation.
But avoiding Point A has a cost. Without an honest, data-backed analysis of the starting position, any roadmap to Point B is built on assumptions, not facts. This is why so many digital transformation projects end up over budget, delayed, or abandoned not because the vision was wrong, but because the path to get there was unrealistic from the start.
An accurate understanding of Point A means knowing not just what’s broken, but also what’s working and why. It means identifying constraints, available resources, and the actual readiness of people and systems to change. From there, the route to Point B can be mapped in achievable stages: implementation → adjustment → reimplementation. Each step becomes a learning cycle, reducing risk and increasing the odds of lasting success.
The paradox is that in life, we approach most goals this way: from fitness and sports to education, we know where we start and we progress step by step. Yet, when it comes to automation, optimization, or digitalization, rational thinking often seems to vanish.
And that’s a mistake. The road to success always begins with Point A.