Category Archives: Design steps

Process improvement and operating models

Posted on February 8, 2017 by

I have been stimulated by an article by Craig Tickel of GoLean6Sigma that argues that there are only 5 ways to improve a process: Reduce Non-Value-Added Steps Improve the Measurement System Reduce Common Cause Variation Reduce Special Cause Variation Move … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps, Lean, Op Excellence and Op Model | 2 Comments

How to work with someone who does not understand operating models?

Posted on October 21, 2016 by

Today I was asked an interesting question.  How can one engage senior managers in the importance of doing operating model work?   My answer was that this is the wrong question, and I gave the analogy of a carpenter.   If someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps, Getting a brief from the client | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

From strategy to success: the role of operating models

Posted on June 1, 2016 by

I was looking at the Wilson Perumal website today.  This consulting company has some useful blogs … and thirteen on operating models.   I particularly liked one titled “Are you overlooking an essential part of your strategy” The article states “When … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps, Strategy | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

When to do organisation design in operating model work

Posted on April 15, 2016 by

I was discussing my last post about capability maps with David Winders and we got into a discussion about the timing of work o organisation structure.  David was explaining that one of the benefits of capability maps is that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps, Organisation model | 3 Comments

Peter Murchland on Operating Models

Posted on April 3, 2016 by

I have just come across an article Peter Murchland wrote on LinkedIn giving his definition of an operating model.    I have copied chunks of his text because he provides a different perspective to my PILOS model (which is about to … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Tools for examining an existing or proposed operating model

Posted on February 15, 2016 by
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The importance of starting with value chains

Posted on November 22, 2014 by

I am siting in Singapore overlooking the straights from Sentosa Island, about to contribute to a conference. (Sorry to boast but the view is … distracting)   But still time for a blog on operating models. Mark Lancelott of PA … Continue reading →

Posted in Design principles, Design steps, Value chain | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Building up an operating model

Posted on September 13, 2014 by

Mark and I had a really strong group for our operating models course last week.   So we learnt as much as they did.  We had the chief executive of a business, a consultant from Capgemini, another from Grant Thornton, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps | 6 Comments

Do small companies have operating models?

Posted on June 15, 2014 by

The following is stolen from a post by Peter Murchland in a discussion group in LinkeIn’s The Enterprise Architecture Network. Thank you Peter and apologies for the changes I have made to your insightful comments. In a new organisation, the … Continue reading →

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Design Thinking is not Design

Posted on May 7, 2014 by

Most of the ideas in this post have been stolen from Marcio Dupont’s blog on May 1, 2014. Design Thinking has become a bit of a craze in both Business Schools and companies. But design work is more than design … Continue reading →

Posted in Design steps | Tagged , , | 2 Comments