Strategic Roadmap: What Is the Digital Workplace of 2027 and How Do I Get There?

Designing a Digital Workplace Strategy for the Future

The way we work continues to evolve to embrace new technology and keep the “work-from-anywhere” workforce connected and engaged. This ongoing evolution has propelled the need for a strong, employed-focused digital workplace strategy into the spotlight.

In the Gartner® report, Strategic Roadmap: What Is the Digital Workplace of 2027 and How Do I Get There?, Gartner analysts outline how organizations can improve employee experience (EX) through their digital workplace strategy.

See an overview of this insightful report below.

What is a Digital Workplace Strategy?

Developing a digital workplace strategy doesn’t just mean implementing the likes of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 or transitioning from in-person meetings to virtual - the “Digital Workplace” goes far beyond this. Gartner defines the term as “the overall plan of action to deliver improved EX, encourage workforce digital dexterity and return value to the business.”

The current state of the digital workplace strategy can largely be characterized as “transactional, reactive and slow,” according to Gartner. It is typically led by IT departments with little input from business units or consideration of long-term business objectives.

When talking about the digital workplace of the future, we should be looking at improving business processes through agile methodology and a democratized governance that empowers people and supports a better workplace experience.

The strategy involves three primary components:

Technology

Organizations need to invest in technology that not only supports their business objectives but allows them to embrace new ways of working to improve employee experience.

This may involve a combination of applications, devices, facilities and enabling services all related to EX. Importantly, Gartner notes that any technology investments “must aim to continually improve the EX on the path to better business outcomes.”

Talent

Ownership of the digital workplace of the future will be shared by IT and business unit leaders. In fact, Gartner predicts “through 2027, multidisciplinary digital workplace teams that blend business and technology roles will be 50% more likely to deliver positive outcomes than those formed by IT alone.”

Organizations should anticipate the need to hire new talent dedicated to digital employee experience (DEX) to achieve their goals.

Process

Organizations will need to create new, collaborative processes that align business objectives and digital workplace strategy. Whereas current processes are more rigid, future processes should be agile and allow for a case-by-case approach.

While the current digital workplace strategy focuses on expanding existing services, the digital workplace strategy of the future will “evolve processes for identifying, evaluating and prioritizing different business objectives.”

Incorporating Workplace Management Solutions into Your Digital Workplace Strategy

An effective digital workplace strategy should improve the workplace experience for all team members, whether 100% in office, hybrid or remote.

At Sign In Solutions, we are redefining workplace management by streamlining and modernizing the workplace experience beyond physical thresholds – giving organizations the intuitive technology they need to guarantee safer environments and keep remote and hybrid workforces organized and engaged.

From an intuitive app that allows employees to sign in from the office or remotely to easy-to-use desk and meeting room booking solutions, Sign In Solutions makes managing your workplace simple. Get in touch to learn which solutions are right for your organization here.