Companies start out with fuzzy goals and invisible dependencies.
They get lost in frustrating details.
With time, even the most motivated teams lose their spark, until the C-Level gets annoyed with middle management because things are not moving forward.
Finger-pointing starts, and suddenly no one has their hands free to do any real work. So how do you avoid this all-too-common fate?
Here's what successful transformation programs get right:
Start with clarity on strategy
Before any kickoff, define what success looks like. Not ‘improved customer experience,’ but a clear description of the before and after—whether it’s a transformation of your operating model, business model, processes, customer experience, a new domain, or all of the above.
If it can’t be explained in two sentences it’s not clear.
Map the invisible dependencies
The biggest program killer? Teams working in silos while their outputs depend on each other. Spend time early mapping who needs what from whom. Make these dependencies visible to everyone.
Energize, don't just manage
When teams lose momentum (and they will), transparency beats cheerleading. Share the real challenges, the progress made, and why it matters. People respond to honest leadership, not corporate speak.
Think scenarios, not rigid plans
Plans don't survive contact with reality. Build multiple scenarios and decision points. What if budget gets cut 20%? What if a key stakeholder leaves? Scenario thinking keeps you agile.
Capabilities before tools
Don't start with "We need AI." Start with "What capabilities do we need to win?" Then work backward to the tools and skills required. Strategy fails without the right people and competencies.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well—88% of companies can tell you it’s not. But if you take these principles to heart, you have a real shot at being among the 12% who make it to the other side.