The Journey

The Feld Group Institute framework consists of the four elements of a compelling change agenda (WHY, WHAT, HOW, WHO) and the five time-boxed phases of the Journey from Current State to your Future Vision (as summarized in the WHEN).

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 will we do?). 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.

  • Phase 1 (Strategy) – In this phase the strategy is articulated by the executive team including the CIO.
  • Phase 2 ( The Turn) – The work in this phase consists of sequencing, pacing and funding the Journey from Current State to Future State.
  • Phase 3 (Up and Running) – The deal has been cut, the sequencing has been agreed to and the roadmap has been blueprinted.  This phase is about beginning to deliver.
  • Phase 4 (Hitting Stride) – This phase is about accelerating quality delivery and agreed to benefits of the change.
  • Phase 5 (Self-Sufficiency) – This final phase is about industrialization of the new model and continuous improvement.