Value
Transformation creates value. Are you transforming or tinkering?
Transformation creates value while tinkering just keeps us busy. Transformation is driven by a strategic focus on being in a different place in the future. Strategic transformation redefines an organisation’s operations, identity and direction. That can mean entering new markets, shifting from products to services, digitalisation at scale, switching from physical stores to online etc.…
Read MoreData analysis is exciting
Data helps make things happen. Data helps us understand what has happened and data can tell us what might happen. Data helps us make better choices for better outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) is exciting because it opens up new ways to work with data but we can collect, analyse and learn from data without AI.…
Read MoreDoing things badly costs money
One short piece of free advice: “Doing things badly costs money.” I’m a management consultant. Recently someone asked me if that meant giving people advice all the time. I replied that it was more about observing and asking questions. We then analyse and apply lessons from one context to a different one while taking account…
Read MoreGhost benefits and real project benefits
Ghost benefits are scary. They threaten to use up your money, time and reputation with nothing to show for it. Ghost benefits are the imaginary gains from projects that haunt business cases, PowerPoint presentations and project meetings. Most people know they aren’t real but they won’t say anything in case little Jimmy still believes in…
Read MoreProject rescue – a simple guide
A project rescue is a structured approach to save a failing project. Your project fails when quality, scope, budget, or schedule does not meet expectations. It can also fail because the business case no longer stacks up. Projects exist to implement strategy so a project rescue saves your strategy and maybe your business or your…
Read MoreProject success vs organisational success
Projects implement strategic change. If a project meets its goals (succeeds) then the organisation meets its goals (succeeds). Right? Well maybe. Let’s take a closer look at success, value, strategic goals and what they mean for projects and organisations. What does success look like? Are project managers responsible for project delivery or for strategic goals…
Read MoreBack office projects can deliver clear payback
Payback on back office productivity projects Back office productivity projects should deliver clear payback. That may be reduced process time, less rework, fewer errors, faster throughput, less waste, fewer handoffs, fewer complaints, higher staff satisfaction, better profitability, more timely data, higher customer satisfaction, etc. These benefits can and should be defined and measured. They can…
Read MoreUnleashing the improvement mindset
Unleashing the right mindset for improvement is key to success. This week’s blog is different. It is not about our firm, our work or our people. It is about a book from one of the most positive people I know – Darcy Mellsop of CILab. Productivity and continuous improvement New Zealand needs to improve its…
Read MoreThe Value for Money (VfM) gap
What is the Value for Money gap? The value for money gap is a lack of confidence that money is being spent on the right things and in the best way to get desired outcomes. It arises when spending choices do not reflect perceived priorities and when spending is seen as wasteful. It is subjective…
Read MoreBack office key to delivering strategy
The back office is key to delivering strategy. Operational excellence is a deliberate state created by people, processes and systems aligned to create value. It doesn’t happen by accident. We know that making back office functions work better is more effective than wholesale cuts. Optimising back office operations is strategically important. In fact, a well-designed…
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