Digital review: the ‘before picture’ for your HR transformation

New year, new you, it’s a tried-and-true trope that you’ll probably see a lot of over the next month. January is the time after all! And, yes, there is an element of that to what we’re saying here. But it’s also something different: the digital review. Digital reviews are more than just your HR tech ‘Wrapped’, they’re an opportunity to get a real, deep understanding of how your HR tech and team are functioning right now. Think of it like taking the ‘before pic’ of your HR – after all, how will you know what needs changing and how far you’ve come without documenting where you are? 

In a good digital review, you’ll want to look at your technology, people, processes, data, employee experience and strategy. Looking at each of these factors is critical to get a clear picture of how your HR department is functioning.  

In this post, we’re going to look at why doing a digital review should be the first step of any HR transformation project.

Four ways digital reviews make projects easier

Creating a baseline of your HR 

The number one thing that a digital review provides is a clear baseline for how your HR team and tech is currently performing. This establishes a point for you to refer back to when you look at the success of any changes you might make. Because you’ll have it fully documented, this can be a useful tool for both understanding and reflection. 

Identifying and clarifying issues 

Sometimes, you know that something isn’t working, but it can be difficult to figure out what the real problem is. Are your processes out of whack or does your tech need updating? Do you have all the skills you need to realise your strategic goals? Would certain integrations streamline everything? Digital reviews are the most effective way to identify why your department isn’t doing everything it has the potential for. 

Validating your work 

While there may be times that you don’t know what’s going on, there are also probably times that you do and you just need someone outside of your team to agree. You may need external validation as proof for your board or leadership team. Often, HR teams find that their voice is better heard when supported by a third party, like a consultancy. 

Getting sign-off for projects 

You may also need a digital review to help you secure funding for your next HR project. These days, budgets are tight and there are a lot of projects that need attention. Particularly as AI starts becoming a more prevalent part of every tech stack. Getting a digital review can help you highlight the need for change and can support an effective business case. This can be especially useful ahead of a selection project because they can also help form part of the business case. 

Learn more: The Ultimate Guide to an Unbeatable Business Case 

All in all, digital reviews are a great tool to support and validate any HR transformation project. Performing one at the start of your project can act as your ‘before picture’ and give you a great reference point to judge the success of your work. It can also help you get sign-off for these projects in the first place. Whether you’re looking for understanding or a way to move forward with a selection, a digital review is the perfect place to start.