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Digital Transformation Scan: How future-ready is your organization?

The cultural sector is evolving, specifically in digital development. As a director or manager of a cultural organization, you are continuously challenged to put digital transformation high on the agenda. Where does your organization stand in this process? And what concrete steps can you take? Take the Digital Transformation Scan to find out.

3 min. read12 jun `23

Knowledge & Inspiration

What is the Digital Transformation Scan?

Gaining control over digital transformation (opens in new tab) starts with understanding where you currently stand. The Digital Transformation Scan is a self-assessment tool for organizations to assist with this. The scan is specially developed for cultural organizations and evaluates various aspects of your organization's digital transformation.

The five components of digital transformation

Een animatie van een ronde diagram die de 5 onderdelen van digitale transformatie bevatten. De onderdelen zijn vanaf bovenaan met de klok mee publiek en waarde, strategie en budget, data en technologie, processen en structuur en cultuur en competenties.

The Digital Transformation Scan consists of five components, namely:

Audience and value
Strategy and budget
Data and technology
Processes and structure
Culture and competence

The results of the scan show for each component which phase of digital transformation your organization is in. After completing the scan, you will receive a personalized results page with advice and articles to help you in the process of digital transformation. With concrete next steps and inspiration, you can continue your digital transformation journey tomorrow.

The five phases of digital transformation

The Digital Transformation Scan distinguishes five phases, namely:

Starting: you are at the beginning of your organization's digital transformation
Learning: your organization is developing skills and gaining knowledge about digitization and new technologies
Executing: your organization is capable of implementing digital transformation initiatives
Connecting: you are transitioning from isolated initiatives to strategy-driven digital activities
Integrated: your digital ambitions are an integral part of your strategy, with the audience at the center

De vijf fasen van digitale transformatie geïllustreerd als trap. Een poppetje bewandelt de trap, bij iedere trede (fase) draagt hij iets extra's in zijn handen. Fase 1. Startend: je staat aan het begin van de digitale transformatie van je organisatie. Fase 2. lerend: je organisatie ontwikkelt vaardigheden en doet kennis op over digitale transformatie en nieuwe technologieën. Fase 3. Uitvoerend: je organisatie is in staat om digitale transformatie initiatieven uit te voeren. Fase 4. verbindend: je gaat van losse initiatieven naar strategiegedreven digitale activiteiten. Fase 5. integraal: je digitale ambities zijn integraal onderdeel van je strategie en het publiek staat centraal.

— All phases of the Digital Transformation Scan

Discover where your organization stands

Take the Digital Transformation Scan and use the results as a starting point to challenge the rest of your organization to collectively define your digital ambition. The questions encourage you to reflect on your organization and the role of digitization in operations. You can also complete this scan with your team and use the results as a starting point for further policy development or a meaningful conversation about digital ambition. The scan takes approximately 10 minutes.

Take the scan

Do you already need some support on specific digital transformation topics? Take a look at our DEN Academy.

Feedback from the test panel

The Digital Transformation Scan has been tested by an independent panel of managers and directors from various organizations. Below are some of their responses:

"I recognize the results of the scan. Not everything is easy for us as a small museum. I realize where the gaps are in our approach and thus our challenge: the scan makes me face the facts."

"The questions from the scan have made me think. I am super happy with the results and the insights from the maturity steps of the model."

"One of the questions from the scan: 'In our strategy, the audience experience is central.' This is an interesting question for me because this is not how we operate. It makes me reflect."

The state of digital transformation in the cultural sector

Others have already completed the Digital Transformation Scan. DEN has developed a dashboard that provides a live overview of the cultural organizations that have completed the Digital Transformation Scan since March 2025. Use these insights, for example, to shape your own strategy, strengthen your accountability, or compare your results with those of others.

View the dashboard

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Maaike Verberk is the director of DEN. She uses her experience and network to inspire professionals in the cultural sector toward digital leadership and encourages organizations to adopt a strategic approach to digital innovation.

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