Digital transformation often sounds like a buzzword - but it is the key to sustainable project success. And the best thing is that it can be implemented in a structured and step-by-step manner.

Whether in plant engineering, automotive development or turnaround projects in the chemical industry, project management is under pressure. The challenges are becoming more complex - time pressure, a shortage of skilled workers, increasing demands for transparency and traceability.
What is needed now? A clear digital roadmap.

🧭 Step 1: Analyze the current situation - where do we stand?

Before you digitize tools or processes, you need clarity:

• Which processes are already digital?

• Where are there currently media disruptions?

• What information is available in Excel, email or on paper?

• Who are the key stakeholders?

🎯 Goal: A common understanding of the current maturity level of project management among all those involved.

Tip: A workshop with project managers, controlling and engineering often uncovers a surprising number of manual loops.

🏗️ Step 2: Define goals and priorities

Not everything has to be digital right away. Set clear goals, e.g:

• Real-time transparency on project progress

• Reduction of manual reports

• Standardized risk management

• Integration of external partners

Important: Goals should be measurable, achievable and relevant.

📌 Example: "We want to record all project milestones and deviations digitally - in a system that is accessible to all partners."

🧰 Step 3: Select the right tool

Digital transformation needs the right foundation.
The tool should:

✅ fit in with existing processes
✅ Be scalable
✅ Be able to integrate external partners
✅ Offer visualizations and live data
✅ Support compliance & documentation

💡 Best practice: software solutions such as COMAN offer precisely this combination - especially for complex industrial projects

🔄 Step 4: Rethink processes - don't just digitize them

It's not about bringing Excel 1:1 to the web.

Instead:

• Simplify workflows

• Automate data flows

• Record status messages with system support

• Provide reporting and forecasts at the click of a button

🧠 Think digital first - not "we do it like before, only on a tablet".

👥 Step 5: Involve stakeholders at an early stage

The best software is useless if nobody uses it.

Therefore:

• Get users on board at an early stage

• Offer training and onboarding

• Clearly define roles and responsibilities

• Make quick wins visible

🎯 Goal: Create acceptance - because transformation is also a cultural change.

🚦 Step 6: Start the pilot project

No big bang. Start with a manageable project, e.g:

• a conversion project in the plant

• a system retrofit

• a turnaround in a sub-area

Important:

• Define KPIs beforehand

• Build in feedback loops

• Record learnings

Digital transformation is not a sprint - but an agile process

📈 Step 7: Scaling & integration

Is the pilot working? Then the rollout follows:

• Expand to other projects and locations

• Set up interfaces to ERP, BI or DMS

• Develop templates and standards

• Take governance & compliance into account

💡 Advantage: You benefit from experience - and avoid legacy issues.

✨ Conclusion: Digital change is feasible - step by step

Digital transformation in project management doesn't have to be a mammoth project.
With a clear roadmap, the right tools and an open mindset, you can achieve it:

✅ More transparency
✅ Faster decisions
✅ Less frictional losses
✅ Better collaboration - internally & externally

📞 Next step: let's get started together

Want to know how your project management can make the digital leap?

👉 Make an appointment now and leverage potential together.