Most digital workplaces don’t fail because of bad technology. They fade because no one truly owns them.
At launch, there’s usually lots of energy. A project team. A roadmap. Maybe even a town hall or two to create hype. But once the confetti settles, the digital workplace often gets quietly parked under “someone’s job” rather than becoming a shared organizational responsibility. That’s when things start to drift. Content goes stale. Engagement dips. The platform still exists, but it no longer feels alive.
This is where a digital workplace management team - or a strong network of internal champions - makes all the difference.
A digital workplace isn’t a static destination. It’s an evolving ecosystem that reflects how people communicate, collaborate, and find information at work. Without a group actively paying attention to those shifts, the platform quickly falls out of sync with the organization it’s meant to support. A management team provides continuity. It keeps the digital workplace visible in planning conversations, connected to business priorities, and responsive to what employees actually need, not just what seemed like a good idea two years ago.
Internal champions play a different but equally important role. They’re close to the day-to-day reality of teams and departments. They spot friction early. They notice when something isn’t landing or when a workaround becomes the norm. More importantly, they humanize the digital workplace. When adoption and advocacy come from peers rather than a central team, the platform stops feeling like “head office software” and starts feeling like a shared space.
Together, governance and grassroots advocacy create momentum. The digital workplace stays current because someone is always asking, “Does this still make sense?” It stays prominent because it’s represented in conversations about culture, productivity, and change, not just technology. And it stays credible because decisions aren’t made in isolation.
The organizations that get this right don’t treat the digital workplace as a finished product. They treat it as a living part of the business that deserves care, curiosity, and ongoing stewardship. Whether that shows up as a formal management team, a loose coalition of champions, or a mix of both, the message is the same. If everyone owns the digital workplace a little, it’s far more likely to matter a lot.
Who is truly responsible for keeping your digital workplace relevant - and do they have the time, support, and mandate to do it well?