From Uncertainty to Clarity: A Transformation Readiness Assessment for Leaders

Transformation is hard. As the accountable leader you are expected to deliver measurable business results, are spending significant resources in terms of people and money and need to navigate cross-organizational, technological and cultural challenges.

The program team are excited, business operations are... concerned. Some of your peers are all-in, some are... a little quiet. Some are giving you a tough time. You are an accomplished leader, but this, this is hard!

It is the nature of transformation programs that the path from current state to the new way of working is uncertain. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be a transformation program and it wouldn't need you and your skills. But wouldn't it be nice to have a little more quantifiable certainty?

I've developed a Transformation Readiness Assessment that can help you set up programs for success at an early stage, provide ongoing monitoring and can be used as a diagnostic if recovery is required.

The Transformation Readiness Assessment brings a quantifiable framework that is aligned to best practice that will bring answers to the questions that keep us up at night:

• How do I know if we are set up for success in our transformation program?
• What steps can I take to find gaps and diagnose problems?
• What corrective actions can I take?

It also provides quantifiable reassurance when the right elements are in place, as even with the best setup transformation is still hard.

The word "Transformation" is used regularly in business and particularly in the digital information systems realm. In From Tweak to Transformation: Sizing Up Business Change I talked about scoping the right level of business change and how value is generally higher when we are in the transformation space, but so is the level of effort and risk.

We tend to get into "Transformation" when we have a broad, innovative scope and we are changing the ways of working for an organization enough to challenge the status quo, particularly as perceived by the existing culture. A transformation program is a significant undertaking. It places large demands on already-busy resources, requires funding and triggers change for the organizations involved.

What does the Transformation Readiness Assessment do for me?

• Gives quantifiable insight into readiness for success at any stage of a transformation initiative
• Provides instant identification of gaps that can undermine successful transformation
• Provides recommendations on improvement actions
• Helps you set up for success, monitor ongoing health or recover programs

What is the Transformation Readiness Assessment?

• A diagnostic assessment comprising 30 key questions across 5 major transformation program stages
• Each question prompts discussion and is scored, revealing an objective assessment across the major themes
• Aligned with Managing Successful Programs best practice, large consultancy processes and industry expertise
• Provides actionable insight into areas of strength and risk in your program setup

How can we deploy the Transformation Readiness Assessment?

• As a minimum, a one-to-one session with the senior program leader
• Recommended, across your program team for a wider view - online or workshop
• Even broader, across your program stakeholders for complete, unvarnished insight -  online or workshop
• During program setup, at phase transitions, when recovery is needed or throughout as an ongoing monitor
• The assessment is facilitated by me, enabling deep discussion, interpretation and tailored recommendations, rather than a generic score
• Remote, or on-site, globally.
  
  

The Assessment can deliver value at any stage. I've used the Transformation Assessment successfully with leaders nearing the end of programs and it has provided valuable insight on last-mile focus areas.

Is a stand-alone or self-paced option available?

I have found most of the value is in the discussion involved in answering the questions, and then in the discussion of the overview output.

If you prefer a self-paced option, I have developed an approach that works online and gives automated scoring, but we should talk about how you would would want to use it to make sure you really get the value.

What might an engagement look like?

• Activities can be tuned to your situation. A typical flow might be:
  • Pre-engagement discussion to clarify objectives and any tuning to your particular situation
  • Deep-dive diagnostic session (half-day) with the senior program leader
  • Optional wider sessions with program team and stakeholders
  • Offline analysis of results and preparation of tailored recommendations
  • Follow-up to discuss findings and next steps
    
    
• Deliverables
  • Executive summary of findings
  • Graphical overview of results
  • Written recommendations
  • Discussion of recommendations with Q&A
    
    

Who is Gareth Williams - Field Enablement Consulting?

Structuring your program for success at early stages maximizes the chance of achieving the intended strategic result. It reduces rework and saves money.

I can help you to assess your program structure with an objective Transformation Readiness Assessment. It will provide insight to areas of strength and where you can focus to improve the chance of success.

My experience in defining and delivering technology programs in large enterprise gives me broad perspective across people, process and technology including enterprise data, M&A, compliance, culture change, process design and adoption

I use the same processes as major consulting houses, aligned with Managing Successful Programmes best practice

I take a practical approach that puts your strategy ahead of technology

If you would like to learn more or book an assessment then please connect via LinkedIn or fieldenablement.com