From the end of 2024 to mid-2025, fourteen cultural organizations participated in the first edition of Digital Determination (opens in new tab). Each organization had its own project but shared a common theme: building online success.
We encountered themes along the way that are present in virtually every organization embarking on digital transformation: the importance of starting small, effective communication, collaborating beyond organizational boundaries, and the crucial role of motivated people. Read the five insights we gathered from the first edition of the Digital Determination program.
1. The challenge of starting small for big results
A well-defined project sounds manageable and feasible – and it is. Small projects require fewer resources and provide the opportunity to learn quickly. However, in practice, it often proves challenging to keep projects small. Ambitions are high, resources are limited, and it’s tempting to combine multiple goals.
The key lies in prioritizing objectives and setting boundaries. What is the core of this project? How does it contribute to organizational goals? What outcome must you absolutely achieve? By maintaining this focus and conducting various small experiments, you lay a solid foundation with those lessons to eventually scale up.
2. Communication as a success factor
Communication around digital projects is one of the biggest influences on their ultimate success – a factor often underestimated. Communication is still too often seen as a next step instead of an integral part of the process. Many misunderstandings or delays arise because the project’s value to the organization, what success means, and the ‘what’s in it for me’ are not clear to everyone. Take the time to find a common language and align everyone. Joint brainstorming sessions and sharing successes can contribute to this.
3. Let data guide you, but it won’t lead on its own
Success can only be demonstrated if you make it measurable. How you do this varies by organization and project: from an extensive dashboard to a simple shared Word document or even a whiteboard on the wall with goals and gathered metrics.
The complex technical solution is not necessarily better than a very simple one. Structure and start, at the very least.
4. Collaborate beyond your own walls
Collaboration in the cultural sector is very logical; this is a sector full of driven enthusiasts, but collaboration between organizations is not self-evident. Ambitious digital projects quickly require transcending the walls of your own organization. Especially for your digital basic infrastructure, there is much to learn from peer organizations. Many wheels are still being reinvented in many different workplaces.
Within Digital Determination, we bring organizations together to share experiences and connect projects and challenges. This is intensive but lays the foundation for a fruitful network among our participants.
5. People as the engine of transformation
Technology can be a powerful tool; the real engine of digital innovation in our sector is the people within the organization. Their motivation, energy, and vision determine whether a project succeeds.
However, making time for innovation is not always easy. The daily workload and limited resources make it challenging. Yet, these innovative projects are essential to remain relevant in a changing world. And in this, the organizational structure that allows and drives innovative projects is crucial. This keeps an organization agile énd resilient.
Leadership and vision are essential to creating space for experiments and emphasizing the importance of digital as part of a successful organization.
In summary:
The first edition of Digital Determination makes it clear: the cultural sector has everything it takes to grow digitally – from creative professionals to valuable content and a drive to reach the widest possible audience.
By starting small, communicating clearly, actively collaborating, and putting people at the center, digital projects can not only succeed but also inspire even more beautiful digital solutions. Let’s think small to achieve grand results.
Join in 2026
In January 2026, a new edition of Digital Determination will start. Are you working on a digital project to use AI within your work processes? Or do you have an idea you want to think through and take a step further? Then this program is for you.
Digital Determination helps you take small steps with a big impact. Not by working harder, but by looking smarter: at your goal, your target audience, your organization, and the people who make the difference.
More articles per topic
