There are many people who feel that the shortage of human resources is an issue in promoting DX, and who are not sure what kind of human resources and skills are required in securing and training human resources.
In this article, after describing the problem of the shortage of human resources in DX and what kind of skills and human resources are required, I will explain the causes of the shortage of DX human resources and how to solve them. Please read this article and get hints to solve the problem of lack of DX human resources, and use it to work on human resource development to promote DX.
Overview of DX
First of all, in order to understand what DX is, I will explain the definition, the background of its promotion, and the shortage of human resources, which is an issue of DX.
What is DX
DX (Digital Transformation) is an abbreviation for digital transformation. DX is an initiative to enhance market competitiveness and corporate value even in a rapidly changing business environment while utilizing digital technology and data.
Behind the promotion of DX are the rapid evolution and globalization of digital technology, and the diversification of customer needs. From now on, it will be necessary to use digital technology to provide more efficient and high-value-added services and to develop new markets, without being bound by conventional business models and services that cannot respond to these changes. I guess.
In addition, the spread of the new coronavirus has spurred the promotion of DX, as remote work and online business have become commonplace. By promoting DX, companies can respond to remote work and online business, and use cloud services and online stores to develop new markets.
Efforts to digitize have become unavoidable, and promoting DX will be an essential effort for any company in the future.
Shortage of human resources is an issue of DX
According to the “DX Trend Survey 2021” (*), 63.2% of the respondents cited “lack of human resources” as the reason why DX is not progressing. That’s it. Expertise in AI, data science, programming, etc. is required, and many companies are struggling to secure human resources.
In addition, since the introduction of IT technology will change business processes, it is necessary to improve the skills of employees and change the organizational culture. In order to deal with these issues, companies are promoting initiatives such as reviewing human resource recruitment, supporting skill improvement, and reforming the organizational culture. Eliminating the shortage of human resources will lead to the success of promoting DX, so companies need to actively take measures.
Skills and human resources required to promote DX
What kind of skills and what kind of human resources are required to promote DX? We will explain in detail below with reference to the “Digital Skill Standards” formulated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry .
Skills required for DX promotion
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has formulated the “Digital Skill Standards” (*) based on the importance of human resources in promoting DX. Among them, the skills required for human resources who promote DX are organized into the following five categories. Let’s check what kind of skills are required for DX promotion.
1. Skills for business transformation
Skills related to strategy/management systems, skills related to business models/processes, skills related to design
2. Skills for data utilization
Skills related to strategic utilization of data/AI, skills related to AI/data science, skills related to data engineering
3. Skills to use technology
Software development skills, digital technology skills
4. Skills for security measures
Security management skills, security technology skills
5. Personal Skills
Human skills (leadership and collaboration), conceptual skills (goal setting, creative problem solving, etc.)
Main human resources required for DX promotion
In the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s “Digital Skill Standards” (*), we will introduce the following five types of human resources that are required as the main human resources to promote DX. Let’s see what kind of people we need.
1. Business Architect
Personnel who manage the parties involved, build collaborative relationships, and achieve goals through the promotion of processes in order to achieve goals through business and operational reforms.
2. Designer
Human resources who comprehensively formulate policies and development processes for products and services and are responsible for the design of products and services.
3. Data Scientist
Human resources who have skills such as data analysis and programming and are responsible for the design, implementation, and operation of data collection and analysis systems.
4. Software Engineer
Human resources responsible for the design, implementation, and operation of systems and software for providing products and services that utilize digital technology, such as DX engineers and digital architects.
5. Cyber security
Personnel responsible for measures to control the impact of cybersecurity risks in the digital environment that supports business processes.
Causes of shortage of DX human resources
DX human resources have specialized skills and knowledge in the digital field, including IT technology, and use those knowledge and technologies to create new businesses, improve business processes, and improve the company and customers. It refers to human resources who can execute projects to solve problems.
In recent years, as the promotion of DX has become an urgent need throughout Japan, the demand for DX human resources is increasing, but companies are facing a shortage of DX human resources. Let’s take a closer look at the causes of the shortage of DX human resources below.
Recruitment of DX human resources is becoming difficult
One of the reasons is that it is becoming difficult to recruit DX human resources. DX human resources require specialized skills and knowledge in the digital field, including IT technology, so the demand is rapidly increasing, but the number of DX human resources required by IT companies and companies promoting DX. are proliferating and the competition is intensifying. In particular, there is an increasing demand for human resources who can handle the latest technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data. These elements overlap, making it difficult to recruit DX human resources.
Another factor that makes recruitment difficult is the high cost. Recruiting DX human resources requires a large amount of cost. In particular, when seeking specialists who can handle the latest technology, high annual income and remuneration are required, which may put a strain on the company’s finances.
On the other hand, in order to promote DX, it is necessary to invest in securing appropriate human resources, so companies are required to take measures to achieve both cost reduction and DX promotion, such as reviewing management strategies and enhancing human resource development programs. It is
Development of DX human resources in-house is delayed
The second cause is the delay in developing DX human resources in-house. In order to develop DX human resources, it is necessary to acquire specialized knowledge and skills related to digital technology. However, in the current education and training system, there is a problem that the system to provide the latest technology and know-how in the digital field is not in place.
Therefore, companies need to provide regular training and career advancement programs. Major companies are focusing on efforts to internally develop the human resources necessary to promote DX. This is due to the fact that it is becoming difficult to recruit DX human resources, and the high cost of recruiting external human resources. The aim is to secure human resources. By working to develop DX human resources, companies will be able to resolve the shortage of human resources and strengthen their own competitiveness.
How to solve the shortage of DX human resources
So, what are the ways to solve the shortage of DX human resources? Three methods will be explained below.
Hire DX talent
As a way to solve the shortage of DX human resources, there is a way to hire DX human resources. The point when hiring DX personnel is to focus on the skill set of the person. By hiring human resources with the latest technology and know-how in the digital field, you can contribute to the promotion of corporate DX.
It is also important to hire people with specialized knowledge and experience. For example, it is necessary to hire people who can handle the latest technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data, as well as people with specialized skills in the digital field, such as programmers, data scientists, and UI/UX designers.
Such talents are in demand by any company. As a result, DX human resources are currently depleted in the market, and it is becoming difficult to recruit DX human resources. Therefore, companies need to focus on developing DX human resources and consider developing human resources in-house.
to outsource
The second way to solve the shortage of DX human resources is to outsource DX human resources. When outsourcing DX human resources, it is possible to support the promotion of DX at companies by selecting companies and individuals with specialized skills in the digital field and having them participate in DX projects as external experts. .
However, relying on outsourcing also has the disadvantage of not accumulating DX knowledge within the company. It may become difficult to develop human resources with knowledge about DX in-house, and it may affect future DX project initiatives. Therefore, even when outsourcing, it is desirable to simultaneously promote efforts to develop human resources with knowledge of DX within the company.
Develop DX human resources
The third way to solve the shortage of DX human resources is to develop DX human resources. In order to develop DX human resources, it is necessary to enhance in-house training, utilize the training of external experts, and increase opportunities to participate in DX projects.
STANDARD provides a ” DX Literacy Course ” as a service to support the realization of DX , and using this is effective in developing DX human resources. Below are more details about the courses.
STANDARD’s “DX Literacy Course”
The “DX Literacy Course” provided by STANDARD is an online course that can be held within companies to solve the shortage of DX human resources. It is a program created for the purpose of acquiring digital literacy for all employees in order to collect ideas from the perspective of the field and utilize digital technology in business.
By taking the course, you will be able to fill the gap in DX literacy within the company, deepen cooperation in promoting DX, and improve the resolution when coming up with ideas. We also explain 50 industry cases and provide support for realizing business ideas. All employees can take the course, and it is possible to promote collaboration across departments to promote DX.
Human resource development is essential for promoting DX
Utilization of digital technology and data is essential for promoting DX, but in order to realize it, we need human resources who are familiar with DX. In particular, human resources involved in the promotion of DX are required to have a wide range of skills, including IT technology, business skills, leadership and problem-solving skills. Companies will have to focus on developing DX human resources by enhancing internal and external training.
Therefore, as a service to support the realization of DX, STANDARD provides a ” DX literacy course ” for educating employees on DX literacy and a solution for developing next-generation DX human resources .
