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Granvalley's Insights on Digital Transformation and AI

Granvalley, a Tokyo-based consulting firm, has recently launched the official landing page for its new book titled "Next-Generation DX Blueprint – Driving Business Innovation with Generative AI". This book, published by Toyo Keizai on July 16, 2025, explores crucial topics surrounding digital transformation (DX) and the integration of generative AI into business strategies.

The Book and Its Purpose

The official landing page for the book provides comprehensive insights and highlights from a special interview with the authors: Osamu Kajikawa, Senior Manager at Granvalley’s BI Strategy Group, and Yoshinori Sato, Manager of the same group.

In their interview, these seasoned practitioners—having over 20 years of experience in the ERP and BI fields—discuss why effective DX has stalled in many organizations, the threats posed by generative AI, and offer perspectives on future business transformations.

Moving Beyond Current DX Frameworks

In recent years, the push for DX has escalated as companies aim to leverage data more effectively. However, the challenge remains: many businesses have yet to realize the benefits of data-driven decision-making. This is largely attributed to a fundamental shortage of talent within the IT industry and the complex nature of managing data.“

Kajikawa highlights that the failure of DX initiatives often stems from methodological errors rather than the intricacies of business processes. Traditional waterfall or even standard agile methodologies fall short, as they aren't equipped to handle the rapidly changing requirements inherent in data-driven projects.

Granvalley proposes a hybrid approach which combines the robustness of waterfall with the flexibility of agile. This new methodology emphasizes re-evaluating the requirement definitions and optimizing development processes. Instead of merely delivering systems, the focus shifts towards providing measurable business value, which is crucial for DX success.

The Shift from Human Advantage to Data Driven

As new AI-driven companies emerge, the competitive edge of traditional businesses—often reliant on human expertise—is being reevaluated. The authors stress that the future of competitive advantage will hinge on how well companies can train AI using their data.

Organizations must transition from keeping tacit knowledge within the human workforce to digitizing all forms of corporate assets—ranging from operational processes to proprietary knowledge—to ensure survival in the AI era. This transformation signifies a shift from valuing personnel to prioritizing information and data as key corporate assets.

The Importance of Adapting ERP Strategies

Sato emphasizes the necessity of adopting a "Fit to Standard" approach in ERP strategies to harness the full capabilities of generative AI. While flexibility in customizing ERP systems is tempting, over-reliance on such extensions can lead companies to miss out on new features and innovations. This stagnation can hinder the integration of the latest technologies into business practices, putting firms at a competitive disadvantage.

Thus, companies must embrace technological advancements proactively rather than allowing adherence to legacy systems to hinder evolution. The time for change is now; procrastinating from such transformations can compromise the entire organization’s growth.

Human Creativity Remains Irreplaceable

Amid the advancements in AI, Kajikawa argues that human value remains irreplaceable. While AI excels at pattern recognition and data analysis, creating entirely new concepts is a human domain. In this age, the true strength lies in the human capacity to innovate beyond existing models.

As we face a future where AI may render many jobs obsolete, the demand for individuals who can effectively utilize AI as a tool for creating new opportunity is surging.

Conclusion

Granvalley’s "Next-Generation DX Blueprint" offers a roadmap for organizations to reconsider their DX strategies in light of generative AI advancements. With a holistic approach that blends fresh methodologies and underscores the need for strategic data utilization, this book serves as an essential guide for business leaders navigating the complexities of digital transformation.

Book Overview

• - Title: Next-Generation DX Blueprint – Driving Business Innovation with Generative AI
• - Release Date: July 16, 2025
• - Pages: 224
• - Authors: Osamu Kajikawa, Yoshinori Sato, Teppei Shiomi
• - Price: ¥2,090 (tax included)

This book is the third installment in a trilogy on data-driven management success, following "The Unpleasant Truths of Data-Driven Management" and "The Data-Driven Management Practice Bible".

For more details, visit Granvalley's official website.