Approach

 

Our experience has shown that there are a number of approaches to change management and process (re)design and business process re-engineering.

 

There are many facets and layers of these approaches and a mix of appropriate methods but a clear layered structure to the steps for successful change is often required. Our experience contains elements of all of these steps and familiarity with a number of tools designed to expedite each stage.

 

 

 

Much of systems investment is predicated around automating old methods, and it is frequently a recipe for inefficiency. At best, it simply fixes existing processes but locks them in time. At worse, it precludes any savings from technology.

 

Our proposed approach is also based on our considerations of client as a ‘brownfield’ site because whilst some new capability is required, all interventions need to sit within an already established base of systems and practice.

 

For a ‘brownfield’ study, we are often able to use an abbreviated analysis to fill in any potential ‘gaps’ that may exist in systems, processes and practices etc.

 

In addition, our experience in recognising the source and cause of commonly presented issues, suggests that the following areas of concern often arise:

 

• Objectives: An absence of a shared vision and remit – leading to divergent activities and priorities.
  

   

• Focus: Poor quantification and understanding of high volume, high return activities – leading to the ‘tail wagging the dog’.
  

   

• Systems: Inappropriate technology support – either through inherent technical problems or problems derived from customisation and data structures
  

   

• Processes: Inefficient and ineffective processes and multiple delays and hand-offs.
  

   

• People: Inappropriate working patterns and responsibilities.
  

   

• Skills: Process knowledge and user training insufficient.
  

 

Our approach, outlined below, is derived from the ‘Cranfield’ methodology designed initially for new system initiatives but which puts process improvement at the heart of systems change. Fully delivered, it ensures that systems change and investment is driven by qualifiable process efficiency and effectiveness which, in turn, provides ‘hard’ performance targets for those providing the service.

 

We have used the whole methodology most recently at a major UK University for a large systems improvement programme to support the estates and facilities operation. When the systems funding was cut our work still delivered 60% of the planned savings outlined by our project.

 

 

 

The approach will focus on the definition of drivers and objectives in order to define a detailed set of existing ‘as is’ process maps as well as the highlighting of particular problems areas. In particular, it will ensure that specific options for desired change are outlined and assessed, in order to define a detailed ‘Benefit Delivery Plan’. The Benefit Delivery Plan will also outline benefits, consequences, timescales and resources required to undertake the planned changes.

 

Discovery

 

This stage would involve initial investigation and definition of potential drivers and objectives, along with an exploration of how higher-level University objectives and strategy informs the examinations/assessment and progression administration functions.

 

In addition, this would also involve the definition and prioritization of the key business processes and sub-processes to be explored, as well as the selection and agreement of the appropriate tools and techniques to be utilised during the subsequent stage of the review (e.g. swim-lane diagrams, RACI diagrams etc.)

‘As Is’ Process Investigation

 

This stage would involve a series of workshops and interviews with key stakeholders to define ‘as is’ process maps, along with the exploration of key problem areas and the consequences of doing nothing.

Options Assessment and Benefit Delivery Planning

 

Further investigation would be undertaken to define the Benefit Delivery Plan – outlining important options for change and, for each option, detailing the benefits and consequences of the change, along with the time and resources required to achieve the desired benefits.

Closure and Review

 

Finally, we anticipate the last stage of the BPR Review focusing on the highlighting of key recommendations for change as well as the potential definition of outline roadmaps for achieving the desired level of change defined. This stage may also involve presentations to key stakeholders and senior management.

 

Process and Sample Outputs

In what follows we will include sample outputs, which will illustrate the types of analysis techniques and the type of findings, which could be produced by our study.

Context Exploration

 

Current performance is usually determined by the set of strategic decisions and goals operating at a higher level, which define the operation of the institution and influence the functions under consideration. As outlined in our approach summary, our initial Discovery phase will focus on establishing the significance of these for the functions, as well as defining the list of key business processes and sub-processes to be mapped.

 

Benefits Analysis and Benefits Mapping

 

Once the vision, goals and objectives for the BPR review are established, the ‘Cranfield’ benefits dependency network may also be developed.

 

Two examples follow – one for an estates information systems which is quantified and costed, and a second for an Intranet where many of the benefits are qualitative. Both show the integrated scope of the system and the importance, and value, of key elements (illustrated by the width of the tie lines).

 

 

 

 

 

Qualifying Change

 

Based on a framework for strategic change and the resources and ambition for improvement, we can start to understand the potential for change. Our preference is to use an interactive technique ‘quadrants’ with the individuals currently responsible for the activity.

 

In addition to the reason for strategic change is the desire for strategic change, of many participative techniques one of the best is the use of the future quadrants. Simply by looking at the aspects of a function, through the services offered, and plotting an ‘as was’ picture, the ‘as-is’ capability and the ‘to-be’ aspiration many process development activities become apparent.

 

The example below comes from a review in library services and IT service provision. The technique is remarkably simple to use, effective and is usually greatly enjoyed by participants.

 

 

 

 

The use of a ‘before’, ‘current’ and ‘future’ assessment technique recognises the ambition of the team developing the function but also the existing capability for change. For example, if the ‘could be’ is highly speculative and the ‘was/is’ profile has changed little this might indicate that future change might more difficult than anticipated. Alternatively, if the ‘was/is’ picture shows significant development, this would auger well for future change.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

An extremely important dimension in the investigation of current and future business processes is that of ‘roles and responsibilities’. This kind of analysis seeks to understand and visualise current activities (e.g. “how many people does it take to change a lightbulb”) and then to identify changes which streamline processes. Principles from ‘The Boundaryless Corporation’ may be adopted in order to demolish internal walls and making processes work with as few roles as necessary.

 

The primary techniques for this derive from swim-lanes diagrams, and an example of this is provided below:

Our experience is that whilst swim–lanes provide the high level approach, Role Activity Diagrams are needed to expose the details ‘inside the box’. That is, whilst the box may say ‘IT provide accounts’ it is often necessary to explore the steps of the seemingly simple processes of granting an account. It may, for example, include many hand offs and stages.

Also, if a significant component of the institution’s works is handled by external agencies a further refinement RACI analysis may be required as follows.

Understanding Systems Fit

 

The final element of the analysis is to understand how well the existing systems ‘fit’ the current patterns of work. Detailed results of this analysis may, for example, be presented as a systems map as follows:

 

 

Moving Towards Change

 

Finally, examples of the output of benefits management and benefit delivery planning activities are provided below.

 

 

Organisations Enable

Whilst technology opens up possibilities it is organisations that deliver practical solutions. Our practice extends to organisational and cultural transformation, making sure that technology and organisations work together. Too often we have been asked to solve implementation issues of over exuberant over promising technologists or technically naïve culture change.

Our practice spans communication & education and strategy & design.

Communication & Education

Technologists talk in features (for example it uses 64 bit) whereas the business talks in benefits (for example will it make my life simpler or faster?). But there is a similar miss when the business talks in solutions (I must have system XXX) whereas the technologists need to understand the problem (I am trying to buy a car). Bridging this gap is essential for progress.

We are experienced educators, we teach post-graduate Medical Students and Masters Technology Students. We are also experienced designers – enterprise design, systems design and commercials design.

Strategy & Design

New concepts from the work on complexity can be widely applied to the modern organisation amplified from the move to static physical assets to the dynamic re-mixable assets of the digital economy. It requires better understanding and better management to make sense of the evolving world. It requires better, more agile, approaches from IT and from the business generally. New strategies exploit new means of production (qv) and, after all, we all work for Google now!

Organisational design needs to be focused around agility and the information flows that provide the DNA of the company.

As we struggle with the problems or challenges facing our institutions today, it will quickly become apparent that they are part of a whole complex system which our current approaches fail to address. Increasingly, as managers and leaders of change, we need to begin to think systemically so that well intentioned initiatives do not result in unforeseen and undesirable outcomes. Having seen a recent resurgence in popularity – particularly across the public sector – systems thinking comprises a variety of principles, approaches and methodologies. Systems thinking helps us to see the inter-relationships between things, as well as the underlying patterns and root causes of symptoms and problems that occur everyday in our organisations. Systems thinking enables us to find practical, effective and sustainable solutions to a myriad of real-world problems.

Our Inspiration

 

The work of Computiv is founded on Innovation. From a basis in Life Science Research and an interest in social media the practice has taken the early thinking on Knowledge Management to Open Innovation. We have advised major corporations, including HP and Nokia, on innovation. With board responsibility for innovation we managed the introduction of systems for knowledge management, for structured innovation (Triz) and Open Innovation.

Early pioneering work for Glaxo on the Intranet became the template for a researcher based, easy to use “system of choice” for collaborative research

In the LifeSciences we have developed strategies for genetics research and generics markets, we have also developed an information future for healthcare in the sharing and use of pre-clinical symptoms. Simply if other industries can use weak and emergent signals then so should healthcare with communities congregating around collections of symptoms. This concept has been patented and is the EU’s first ever methods patent.

Recognising the potential for IT value & cost we have also pioneered new routes to information production including a large scale demonstrator for capturing end-user contributions to corporate strategies. Recognised as the number 1 innovation [in the 54 project institutional innovation programme] the findings of this work for the basis of a wider consulting offering.

From Value to Cost

 

Continual dynamic evolution drives technology. Sustainable expertise in technology recognises the transition from innovate value earning to a cost liability. Like the game of Tetris the challenge is timing & coordination – to anticipate & exploit IT value and to standardise & commoditise IT costs.

Timing requires real expertise: the ability to recognise the business potential from emerging technologies, the experience & gravitas to lead the change and the forensic skills to understand & reduce real cost. The Computiv blend brings all of these elements – beyond the simple naivety of enthusiasts, engaged in running operational services and knowledgeable about technology procurement & options.

Digital strategies and digital architectures lie at the heart of sustained business performance and we have worked across all aspects of the lifecycle. Recent implementations of cloud computing have developed into engagement with IT cost & value studies and a sector led strategic approach to sourcing. Taking a holistic value of costs looks beyond simple ICT costs but recognises the fundamental holistic costs of operation: here ease of use is a dominant costs driver and, almost by itself, a compelling logic for the consumerisation of ICT.

From Curation to Creation

Content is the lifeblood of all organisations. In the past our focus has been on the curation of old knowledge but today, in the web 2.0 age, we focus on the creation of new knowledge. In our digital world markets develop and innovation happens in the digital space between individuals and organisations.

Starting with innovative research in document management and portal technology the Computiv practice has developed to embrace commercial and the leading Open Source content management products [Wordpress, Drupal and Alfresco]. Our technology practice warns us of the radical changing economics of access and our response is to favour licence free, widely applicable technologies. Simply to exclude content on the basis of cost is foolhardy and to use proprietary systems narrow.

Current activity is looking at how re-mixing is re-defining information use. From a scientific background we recognise publishing as a way of sharing the works of the newton, and the scientific journal club was the classic way of discussing (re-mixing) their work. Today however re-mixing is at more immediate and granualar level – blogs, tweets and video. But few institutions recognise the need to embrace and exploit this content – internally and externally.

Whilst this may appear as a good theory the biggest barrier is good practice. Our work helps institutions implement fully inclusive digital strategy, landmark research projects such as TWOLER inform this work and our experience in operational IT makes it happen.

Looking forward to the IFG presentation of our report – the message came across well this morning on Radio 4