IT Leadership: Business Transformation

Major initiatives in business and government often require substantial changes to the internal business processes, resulting in disruption and strain across the organization. When the focus shifts to the mechanics of transition, processes vital to the transformation (such as the critical role of IT) may be ignored or downplayed. The result may be a costly, delayed, and disruptive road to the new business environment, or worse, the transformation effort may fail, compromising the organization's ability to conduct business. The costs of poorly executed transformation can be enormous; executives need to assess the impact of change in advance and plan for it to minimize business disruption.

Business transformation is a major project in its own right, with its own needs for high level governance, human resources planning, and program management. SOMOS transformation specialists can help organizations prepare for business change by ensuring that all necessary activities and subprojects are captured, planned, and executed according to proven best practices.  

The Benefits of Working with SOMOS

Working with executive level transformation sponsors, SOMOS can verify your organization is ready for transition. We can help prepare a business transformation model that will encompass all aspects of your future direction, including product and services development, governance modeling, and new priorities. We will help you ensure IT is positioned for a leadership role in the transformation process, and is involved in the strategizing and planning phases. SOMOS can help capture all required activities for the execution plan and minimize disruption to the ongoing business.

SOMOS consultants will also develop a communication strategy to engage stakeholders and promote buy-in of the transformation and its direction. Our workshops, presentations, and courses can address what needs to be done and by whom, and prepare the project managers leading the various functions. SOMOS consultants can work with the Program Management Office and governance entity to ensure that transformation activities move forward, follow best practices, and conform to the transition plan.

SOMOS Business Transformation services include:

• Facilitated workshops
• Coaching for IT executives
• Consulting engagements to ensure transformation plan is followed and best practices are used
• Executive presentations
• Training courses
• Assessments

Success Stories

Establishment of New Directorate
Government Department
Our client wanted to streamline several programs into a new directorate, and required a review of the programs' processes, organizational structures, and systems to identify the best method of program delivery. SOMOS consultants developed the business case for the new directorate and assisted with the implementation of the new organizational structure. SOMOS also designed and delivered workshops and provided ongoing coaching to facilitate the transition to the new directorate. The result was improved operations management, strategic planning, and information management.

New Strategic Direction and Delivery Priorities
Government Department
SOMOS' client needed to clarify its strategic direction and delivery priorities, as well as better understand its own clients' needs. SOMOS consultants examined the strategic business positioning, service delivery capabilities, and existing work processes to identify how operational delivery could be streamlined. SOMOS subsequently developed new models, processes, and roles better aligned with responsibilities, improved the effectiveness of service delivery, and eliminated redundant processes and information.

Business Transformation Program
Government Department
This client required coordination and management of three concurrent operational transition projects. SOMOS consultants established a Project Management Office for the Business Transformation Program and developed the project charter and plans. We analyzed gaps between the current and future operational states, investigated interdependencies with horizontal projects, and reviewed the organization's readiness for audit. SOMOS also provided coaching for the project managers.

Project Management Strategy for Transformation Activities
Government Department
Our client required a strategy to help execute cross-functional business transformation projects. SOMOS consultants developed a project charter that addressed the business needs, objectives, scope, dependences, risks, and key milestones. In addition, SOMOS developed project plans for each sub-project, and monitored subproject status to ensure alignment with the transformation objectives. We also helped incorporate the transformation project deliverables into the corporate service areas.