Digital transformation is the CEO’s job. Only the CEO can make the fundamental changes required for a successful transformation. That’s because a business model reinvention requires different functions across the organization to work together in new ways, and that can only happen by making large-scale investments and large-scale changes that start from the top down.
The CEO’s Playbook for a Successful Digital Transformation
Focus on these five areas.
December 20, 2021
![](https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2021/11/Dec21_20_JoiFulton.jpg)
Illustration by Joi Fulton
Summary.
Digital transformation is not a destination; it’s a permanent state of evolution. The point isn’t to become digital; it’s to generate value for the business. And that can only happen if CEOs act as digital guardians of their companies’ transformations, and are clear on how they can best effect the change that will embed digital DNA into their organizations. A crucial characteristic of successful digital CEOs is that they can step back far enough from their current business to reimagine where transformative — not incremental — value is possible. This article lays out a playbook for success, outlining five areas where CEOs can focus their energies to accelerate a successful digital transformation.