Target operating model design
Most organisations have a strategy that says one thing and an operating model that does something else. The gap between the two is where execution breaks down. We help you design the way the work actually runs so it supports the strategy rather than undermining it.
What's included
The scope is shaped to your situation, so the specifics shift between engagements. A typical scope of work covers:
- A clear picture of how your organisation currently operates, including structure, processes, roles, and how decisions get made.
- An assessment of where the current operating model is creating friction, duplication or gaps relative to your strategy.
- A target operating model that describes how the organisation needs to work, with enough detail to actually build to.
- A transition plan that moves you from where you are to where you need to be without disrupting operations in the process.
Who it's for
This service is for organisations that are growing, changing or finding that the way they are organised is getting in the way of what they are trying to do. That might be a business that has expanded and found that the structure that worked at fifty people does not work at two hundred. It might be an organisation going through a significant strategic shift and needing to redesign how it operates to support the new direction. Or it might be a leadership team that has a strategy but keeps finding that the organisation is not able to execute against it.
How we typically engage
Every engagement is tailored, but the shape stays the same.
Understand
We map how the organisation currently operates: the structure, the processes, the decision rights, and the informal ways things actually get done. We look for the gaps between intent and reality.
Articulate
We work with your leadership team to design the target operating model, making the trade-offs explicit and building something the organisation can actually move towards.
Implement
We support the transition, working through the structural, process and people changes needed to move from the current model to the target.
Embed
We put in place the governance and the habits that keep the new operating model working, and make sure the leadership team has what they need to manage it going forward.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as an organisational restructure?
Not exactly. A restructure changes the org chart. An operating model design goes deeper: it covers how decisions are made, how work flows between teams, what capabilities are needed, and how performance is managed. The org chart is one part of it.
How disruptive is this kind of work?
It depends on the scale of the change. We are deliberate about sequencing and communication to minimise disruption to the business while the transition is underway.
How long does a typical engagement run?
It depends on the scope. Shorter, well-defined pieces of work can be completed in a few weeks. Larger transformation programs typically run several months, and some run across multiple years. We agree the shape and timeline before we start, with checkpoints along the way.
How do you price your work?
Fixed scope and price for well-defined work, and time-and-materials for discovery and longer programs. We always agree the commercial model in writing before we start.
Will I be working with the senior consultant who scopes the work?
Yes. We also tailor the consultant skillset to your needs and budget, so you get the right mix of experience for the engagement without paying for more than you need.
Explore other services
Strategic business planning
Clear goals, solid strategies and roadmaps grounded in market and competitive analysis.
Learn moreProject and program management
Successful delivery of complex initiatives. Timelines, budgets and resources managed so your business gets the outcome it is paying for.
Learn moreIT system upgrades and replacements
Fit-for-purpose technology, clean transitions, and less reliance on the people who hold all the knowledge in their heads.
Learn moreDigital transformation
Get your business online, give customers ways to serve themselves, and open up digital channels that make it easier to reach and retain them.
Learn moreBusiness process improvement
Streamlined workflows, fewer bottlenecks, and a habit of continuous improvement built into how your team works every day.
Learn moreService model design
Build a service model that works for your customers and your team. Better experiences, more consistent delivery, and a clearer picture of what good looks like.
Learn moreGrowth strategies
Find new markets, read emerging trends early, and build the commercial strategy to grow with intention rather than by accident.
Learn moreCRM solutions
Build stronger customer relationships, improve how your team manages leads and follow-ups, and get more out of the tools you already have.
Learn moreField service and mobility solutions
Optimise how your field teams work. Better scheduling, real-time information, and less time lost to admin and miscommunication.
Learn moreCustomer engagement
Reach your customers in the right way at the right time. Strategies and tools that build genuine relationships and keep people coming back.
Learn moreAI advisory
Work out what to automate, what to keep human, and how to set it up so it actually sticks. For sole traders through to mid-market teams.
Learn moreReady to get started?
Tell us a bit about what you're working on. A real person reads every message.