If you want to be a master pianist, you go to Juilliard. If you want to be a master pilot, you go to Top Gun.
Where do you go if you want to master digital transformation?
As the pace of digital transformation accelerates, engineers need ways to keep up. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options for learning how. Online course providers such as edX, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer digital transformation courses for little to no cost. For a higher fee, you can earn a certificate from Yale, Stanford, MIT, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Waterloo and other prestigious schools through their online digital transformation programs.
Online may seem a fitting setting in which to learn about digital transformation, but it’s not the only way. Highly-ranked ESCP Business School offers a full-time, in-person master’s degree program in digital transformation to prepare graduates for the increasingly digital future.
Engineering.com spoke with Aurélie Cnop, scientific director of ESCP’s Master of Science in Digital Transformation Management and Leadership program, who revealed some of the many things engineers could benefit from learning about digital transformation.
The Many Manifestations of Digital Transformation
ESCP Business School (École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris) was founded in Paris in 1819 and now has campuses across Europe. Recognizing that technology was rapidly changing the nature of business, ESCP launched the Digital Transformation Master’s program in 2019. Cnop told engineering.com that around half of the approximately 120 graduates of the program so far have been engineers.
One of the main lessons for these graduates is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to digital transformation. Cnop says that digital transformation differs across industries depending on their specific technologies, processes, products and services. Digital transformation presents a unique set of opportunities and benefits to each industry.
“In engineering, digital transformation can involve the use of CAD and simulation tools to improve the design and development process,” Cnop says. “This can lead to more efficient and cost-effective product development, as well as the ability to quickly iterate and test different design options. Additionally, digital-twin technology can be used to virtually model and test products and systems before they are built, which can help to identify and address potential issues early on in the development process.”
Cnop continues: “In manufacturing, digital transformation can involve the use of automation and robotics to improve efficiency, reduce costs and increase quality. For example, Industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT, AI and big data analytics can be used to optimize manufacturing processes and improve supply chain management. Additionally, digital twins can be used to simulate and optimize production lines, and to monitor and improve the performance of industrial equipment.”
The different manifestations of digital transformation mean that courses like ESCP’s master’s program must draw from a wide range of viewpoints. Cnop says that ESCP liaises with sponsors in industry and specialized consulting companies to compile its curriculum. It also relies on its expert professors, many of whom have founded their own tech companies and served senior positions in industry-leading organizations, according to Cnop.
“Teaching digital transformation can involve several different approaches, depending on the specific audience and goals of the training,” says Cnop.“Some key considerations include providing a compelling overview of the key technologies and concepts involved in digital transformation, such as cloud computing, big data and artificial intelligence, but also using real-world examples. It is specifically important to provide hands-on activities for students to have opportunities to work with digital technologies and tools in a hands-on setting, such as through workshops or group projects.”
The Counter-Intuitive Obstacle to Digital Transformation
Digital transformation may seem like a technical endeavour—just another engineering problem—but in Cnop’s view, that’s an incomplete picture.
“In a fast-changing marketplace characterised by the drive towards Industry 4.0, digital transformation demands a new way of working and not just new technology,” Cnop says. “Just as essential as technological know-how is leadership.”
This is one of the most important facts that Cnop hopes students will learn. Understanding the technology alone is not enough for engineers to succeed in forming and executing digital-transformation strategies.
“Counter-intuitively, perhaps, the biggest challenges of digital transformation often center around organizational and cultural changes,” says Cnop. “For example, companies may struggle to adapt their existing processes and systems to new digital technologies, or they may have difficulty getting employees to adopt new digital tools and workflows.”
In a world where so much has been digitized, one thing remains stubbornly analog: people.
“That’s why you’ll not only learn about machine learning, robotics and big data during [our program], but also about emotional intelligence, creative thinking and other soft and digital skills that are essential for a forward-thinking leader,” Cnop says.
3 Key Points About Digital Transformation for Engineers
ESCP’s master’s program runs full-time for 18 months, split evenly between on-campus studies and professional development. If you can’t take on a full-time program in digital transformation, or even the lesser commitment of an online course, it’s still worth noting the areas where your knowledge may be lacking. Digital transformation has many dimensions, and you don’t want any blind spots getting in the way of your company’s success.
In Cnop’s view, engineers must understand three things about digital transformation. The first: digital transformation entails a complete structural overhaul rather than a mere technological upgrade.
The second key point for engineers is that data is at the heart of digital transformation.
“To successfully implement digital technologies, companies will need to focus on organizational changes and data management. Digital technologies generate a large amount of data, so companies will need to develop the capability to collect, store and analyze this data,” Cnop says.
Finally, engineers must guard against the risks of digital transformation.
“Cybersecurity is paramount,” Cnop warns. “Engineering companies should ensure they have robust cybersecurity measures in place to protect their systems and data.”