Enabling IT Leadership to Change the Dialogue
The Feld Group Institute provides a framework — focused on business and IT leadership — that defines and describes the principles and mechanisms for an IT-enabled business transformation. This proven framework has been developed over the last 30 years in a variety of organizations, including Frito-Lay, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Delta Air Lines, Home Depot, Southwest Airlines, FedEx and Bank of Montreal. It’s critical to change the dialogue.
WHY (do anything?) — Marketplace Model
The WHY change (WHY do anything?). This plank gives the platform durability. It more than anything else will enable the organization to mobilize, make investments, set priorities, take risks, and sustain the effort throughout the transformation. It is the business imperative that must be articulated by the executive team, or there is no point in launching a major transformation. Crafting the WHY is the responsibility of the executive leadership team (including the CIO).
WHAT (needs to change?) – Business Model
The WHAT to change (WHAT needs to change?). Assuming the WHY change is compelling and can be articulated, it becomes critical to describe what actually needs to change. It is equally important to describe what needs to stay the same. These conversations naturally gravitate toward centralization versus decentralization themes. A more appropriate dialogue should be focused on what should be common and what should be unique.
HOW (will we enable the change?) - Systems Model
This is the pathway from your current to your future state. It is focused on the proper construction and consumption model. This is all about building a blueprint, quality engineering and disciplined program and project management.
WHO (will lead and manage the change?) – Organization Model
The human aspect is the part of the framework that is required for sustained success. There are four components that differentiate one enterprise from another: Organization, Leadership, Culture and Performance. They all matter whether you outsource, smartsource or go it alone.
WHEN – the Journey
The five distinct phases of the framework are where the business’s executive and IT leadership team implement the organization’s change agenda. Each phase has certain characteristics and outcomes that need to be constantly monitored and managed.
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