DEN research ‘the testing ground’: challenges in digital transformation

What was the testing ground process about? 

DEN, together with a team of advisors from the organizational consultancy firm TwynstraGudde, explored in a testing ground process which possible ‘tools’ could be added to the DEN toolbox to further assist the cultural sector with the challenges of digital transformation. Eight museum and theater organizations participated.

During the process, various workshops were held in which work methods and resources were developed and tested that align with the work practices and knowledge levels of the participants. Topics addressed included: future thinking, (regional) joint digitization ambitions, and ‘how to involve your organization in your (digital) vision’.

The 5 biggest challenges towards digitization

This testing ground provided interesting and at the same time very recognizable insights for DEN and the participants. The cultural sector indicates encountering the following challenges in digital transformation:

1. The ICT foundation is sometimes still insufficiently in order, which means the basis for digital transformation is lacking.  
2. Collaboration with others (outside and within the cultural sector) is not self-evident, even though there are identical challenges.
3. Digital transformation is often a step too far: it starts with taking small digital steps such as adopting a different way of working or developing a digital strategy.  
4. Within an organization, there are different interests in strategy and digitization.  Operational management, artistic interests, and the interests of subsidy providers/regulations are not easily aligned.  
5. Making time and space to collectively discuss the changing (digital) world and how your organization relates to it is limited.  

3 practical tips for cultural professionals

Digital transformation is a comprehensive concept and perhaps therefore also overwhelming. The key is to start small, experiment, and just ‘do’.  Here are three ideas for you:

1. Can a digital element enrich a new project?
2. Are there internal processes that can be made more efficient through a digitization step or a different way of working?
3. Society is becoming increasingly digital. Does your offering still match the needs of your target audience?

Get started immediately with DEN tools

On the DEN website, you can find inspiration, tools, workshops, and training. A good start is half the work. Do you want to draft and implement a digital strategy? Start with the Digital Transformation Scan (opens in new tab) to see where your organization currently stands. Then you can further develop a digital strategy with these tools:

• The self-study module: ‘How to write a digital strategy? (opens in new tab)’. A module to do together with your colleagues.
• Participation in Lunch & Learn: ‘How to write a digital strategy? (opens in new tab)’ We help you get started.
• Sign up for the in-company workshop ‘digital strategy’ where we help your organization move forward together with your colleagues.
• Additionally, you can also follow training sessions on the audience of the future, innovative working, or digital leadership. Check out our DEN academy (opens in new tab).

DEN will naturally work on the outcomes of the testing ground

DEN, in collaboration with TwynstraGudde, is developing additional tools that can serve as guides for cultural professionals and cultural organizations. To visually clarify the various aspects of digital transformation, we are developing a visual aid. We are creating two new workshops to help organizations create and implement a digital strategy within the organization and are gathering more inspirational examples. Additionally, we are taking even more account of the challenges within the cultural sector in our projects at DEN.