Why Digital Transformations Fail
What the book is about
Section titled “What the book is about”- The Digital Transformation 5.0 model — a progression from basic digital automation to a “Living DNA” stage where digital capability is embedded into the company’s identity.
- Why transformations fail — over‑delegation, unclear ownership, lack of iterative execution, and weak disruption empowerment.
- Disciplines for each stage — each stage includes two operational disciplines and a checklist to keep leaders on track.
- Case studies — examples from P&G, Netflix, Blockbuster, and other companies illustrating success and failure patterns.
- Leadership emphasis — transformation succeeds only when leaders stay personally involved rather than outsourcing responsibility.
Core takeaway
Section titled “Core takeaway”The book argues that 70% of digital transformations fail not because of technology, but because organizations lack clear goals, committed leadership, and disciplined execution. Saldanha proposes a five‑stage maturity model with two disciplines per stage, forming a practical roadmap for making digital transformation repeatable and sustainable.
Why it matters
Section titled “Why it matters”Saldanha’s perspective is unusually practical because it comes from 27 years leading global IT and shared services at Procter & Gamble, where he oversaw digital transformation across 60+ countries. The book distills those lessons into a repeatable operational playbook rather than abstract strategy.