Existem muitas definições para o termo “Transformação Digital” (“Digital Transformation” em inglês), muitas delas associadas às visões de cada grande player do setor de tecnologia sobre o tema (e particularmente como seus produtos podem ajudar nesse processo).
Uma pesquisa rápida pelo termo retornará ao menos uma dúzia de definições que inclusive se misturam com um outro termo semelhante: “Transformação Digital de Negócios” (“Digital Business Transformation“). Elas focam desde de aspectos particulares do negócio até uma visão mais holística.

Para mim, a definição do termo seria algo como:

“A alteração do negócio, em parte ou no todo, por meio da utilização inovadora de tecnologia. Essa transformação pode se dar em uma ou mais das seguintes frentes: Na Experiência do Usuário, nos Processos Operacionais ou no Modelo de Negócios, e deve trazer impactos significantes para a empresa, seus consumidores e/ou para a Sociedade.”

De qualquer maneira, coloco abaixo algumas das definições que encontrei e suas fontes:

Wikipedia:

“Digital transformation refers to the changes associated with the application of digital technology in all aspects of human society.”

Altimeter:

“The realignment of, or new investment in, technology and business models to more effectively engage digital customers at every touchpoint in the customer experience lifecycle.”

Capgemini and MIT Center for Digital Business:

“Digital transformation – the use of technology to radically improve performance or reach of enterprises.”

Agile Elephant:

“Digital transformation is the process of shifting your organisation from a legacy approach to new ways of working and thinking using digital, social, mobile and emerging technologies. It involves a change in leadership, different thinking, the encouragement of innovation and new business models, incorporating digitisation of assets and an increased use of technology to improve the experience of your organisation’s employees, customers, suppliers, partners and stakeholders.”

Microsoft:

“Digital transformation is about reimagining how you bring together people, data, and processes to create value for your customers and maintain a competitive advantage in a digital-first world.”

IBM:

“In our analysis of leading companies and our work with clients, we have found that companies with a cohesive strategy for integrating digital and physical elements can successfully transform their business models – and set new directions for entire industries. These companies focus on two complementary activities: reshaping their customer value propositions and reconfiguring operating models using digital technologies for greater customer and partner interaction and collaboration.”

McKinsey:

“Creating value at the new frontiers of the business world, creating value in the processes that execute a vision of customer experiences, and building foundational capabilities that support the entire structure.”