Target’s tech transformation through ruthless prioritization

Tony Fontana
Check out the official recap for photos, videos, articles, presentations and more from Retail’s BIG Show 2017 .

Check out the official recap for photos, videos, articles, presentations and more from Retail’s BIG Show 2017 .

Less than two years ago, Target’s Executive Vice President and Chief Information and Digital Officer Mike McNamara started his new job. He quickly discovered his team was working on 800 different technology products. “When technology is involved, sometimes less is more,” McNamara said.

At Retail’s BIG Show last week, McNamara explained how he challenged his colleagues to prioritize their projects — each person had to rank their five most important on Post-It notes. Those answers would determine Target’s technology agenda for the entire year. In a very short time, McNamara selected certain strategic initiatives to focus on while also implementing his vision for greater diversity. He actively recruits at women’s colleges and participates in events like the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, with a goal of gender parity within his team of engineers in the next year. McNamara also has a strong belief in giving back; he encourages his colleagues to regularly volunteer with organizations like Girls Who Code.

Watch his full presentation and interview with NBC News Correspondent Jo Ling Kent below, and read McNamara’s own thoughts on ‘A Bullseye View’ about the change he’s leading and the technologies that caught his eye at Retail’s BIG Show.

How Target’s Technology Team is Leading the Way on Transformation

Video of How Target’s Technology Team is Leading the Way on Transformation How Target’s Technology Team is Leading the Way on Transformation