Digital transformation of a global leader's R&D

Context and objectives

For a global leader in the food industry, we oversaw the launch and ramp-up of the strategic data and AI programme of its R&I and quality and food safety divisions, providing strategic guidance and operational support and defining transformative use cases. The aims were to:

• ensure an effective launch and ramp-up, with a transition phase before the target organisation was in place;
• prepare next-generation R&D, to position the group as an industry leader in innovation within three to five years.

Outcome

• Leadership aligned on the execution roadmap of the data and AI programme.
• Value demonstrated through the prototyping of a strategic use case, with its business case and deployment roadmap.
• A data, digital and AI lab launched to execute the strategy and quickly deliver the top-priority use cases in 2025.

Our approach

Strategic support and governance

• Preparation of key meetings (executive committee, R&I board) and stakeholder alignment
• Refinement of the target organisation and operating model: governance, competencies, processes, roles and responsibilities

Operational support

• Management of the use-case portfolio and progress tracking
• Set-up of data governance
• Preparation and facilitation of the monthly data and AI committee

Scoping and advanced prototyping

• Workshops to define the vision, features and roadmap of strategic use cases
• Development and testing of prototypes, including a machine learning interface for users