Effective strategies for managing a complex business transformation

Transformation, usually defined as ‘a marked change in form, nature, or appearance’ or ‘a complete change in character of something, especially so that the thing is improved’. A term so often used in business; it can be mistaken as a buzzword. For many organisations, the significant changes they require can only embody that of a transformation. This process is challenging, and when the transformation is complex, the challenges become complex. So, how do we manage a complex transformation? Here are three strategies you can use to help make your transformation seamless.

Strategic alignment

All successful transformations must remain consistent and true to their ‘why’. Why did we start this transformation? Why does our organisation need it? And why must it remain a high priority? The answers are tied to your organisation’s strategic goals.  

To ensure your transformation is strategically linked to the organisation, begin by creating measurable objectives that align with your organisation’s annual targets. These objectives should be the link for all your projects within the transformation allowing you to deprioritise any projects that don’t fit. It’s easy for projects to get swept up into a large transformation initiative, so by maintaining clear priorities in this way, all projects involved are focused on delivering value to your end goal. 

Once the strategy has been created and agreed upon, you should clearly  communicate this to your stakeholders. The degree of transparency may vary depending on organisation size and nature. However, at a minimum, you should be creating an inspirational vision statement to yield significant benefits. Additionally, sharing the specific objectives with project leaders helps them understand how their project outcomes contribute directly to the larger business transformation. By using these objectives  to track progress, stakeholders can better appreciate the value of their contributions, ensuring a unified effort towards achieving the strategic goals. 

Robust governance

To support your transformation strategy, you will need to establish a robust governance structure. The best place to start is at the top of the organisation. Begin by creating your transformation sponsoring board. Their role will be to monitor progress against organisational and transformational objectives. Risks and issues escalated to this level should adhere to agreed tolerances that have exceeded agreed limits. This will help with the structure and design of your transformation giving it the best chance to stay on track. 

Next, establish boards and key workstream/project leaders to provide detailed updates and share project details. Given that transformations often run across different functions and sometimes internationally, it’s crucial for project leaders to be aware of each other’s activities and meet on a regular basis. Additionally, stakeholder within project teams should meet at least weekly to discuss front line progress. This should include how projects could potentially overlap, which leads me to my final recommendation: dependency mapping. 

Dependency mapping

Amid the noise of projects running simultaneously, it can be difficult to keep track of what is happening where and when! Mapping out dependencies within your transformation is crucial. Projects can often be duplicated or require resources that may not be available. To solve this, it’s essential to identify resource requirements throughout the transformation lifecycle within the planning stages. 

A great way to ensure every project is complimenting one another is to get all project leads and subject matter experts in a room together for a planning session. All projects should be spoken through with the aim of discovery gaps, cross overs or ways in which projects can help each other. Moreover, this fosters cross-collaboration within your organisation, allowing stakeholders to learn from each other’s projects. So, bring everyone together, conduct planning sessions, and learn from each other! 

Transformations are complex and can feel overwhelming. To ensure your transformation delivers value, make sure you focus on the strategic end goal, establish and design governance to empower your stakeholders, and accurately manage dependency mapping for smoother delivery. 

To navigate and drive change with confidence, book a call with the Firewood team; together we’ll ensure your organisation undergoes effective transformation to achieve your goals.