When should a company adopt new technologies? This framework can help

Sebastian is a TIA Star Contributor and publishes high-value content that serves the Asian tech community. Read more from TIA Star Contributors here.

When we speak to our enterprise clients about digital transformation and innovation, someone will often bring up blockchain, mixed reality, or the latest trend dazzling tech media. The desire to engage with new developments is understandable; it feels cutting-edge and is interesting.

But is it productive?

When we poke holes in an envisioned use case, it usually deflates very quickly. Many ideas for new technology implementations do not support a real business case, and it is just too early to really engage.

How can big corporations keep track of the latest developments and reap the benefits when the time is right, without missing the train?

The Tiger Approach: track and pounce

There are two existing frameworks that provide good guidance on the timing of adoption: the Gartner Hype Cycle and the Innovation Diffusion Theory.

We decided to build on these and introduce a new framework called the Tiger Approach. It consists of two parts: track and pounce.

Here’s a brief overview:

Gather information and build proofs of concept

To time a large investment into a new technology right, it is critical to understand the technology well first.

Once it lands on your radar, the best start is to have a few employees spend time to understand the technology and its potential. Have them build proofs of concept (PoCs) to really understand its current limitations and applicabilities. Then, have them present these findings to the relevant stakeholders. This generates a basis of learning which you can build on.

Engage with the community

After understanding the basics and getting some experience, start to engage with the community. Visit meetups and conferences, speak with entrepreneurs in the space, and see what other people are working on and how they solve their challenges.

Important things to note

Time to pounce