Some barriers negatively affect the implementation of digital transformation in higher education institutions. This research aims to investigate these barriers in a particular context: a private university in Indonesia. The barriers diagnostic framework (BDF) has been applied to identify and prioritize barriers. It is determined that ‘Actionable plans based on strategy translation’, ‘The ability to embed ICT into the education system’, and ‘Limitations of institutional policies' have high priority barriers and therefore meet critical concerns in the implementation of digital transformation at the case study. The main contribution of this study is providing empirical evidence on barriers to digital transformation in the higher education sector. More understanding of the high-priority barriers will help the management of higher education to find effective and efficient strategies to manage the resources.