What do successful, large scale transformation programmes have in common? Talented, hard-working, and dynamic individuals; a strong collective conviction; clear benefits; and a future vision for what can be achieved. Underpinning these is a supportive, well-crafted infrastructure – an easily understandable methodology, a framework, and a clear philosophy.

A structured, appropriately scaled and easily understandable methodology regiments best practice while empowering teams to be creative, ensuring that an organisation consistently delivers for the long haul.

Those transformation programmes with tried and tested frameworks will deliver high quality strategy, embrace relevant innovation whilst keeping people at the core of any programme, ensuring the maximum chance of success. Those without might deliver the big thinking at face value, but the cracks will soon show. Here’s why:

1. Transformation strategies can’t be delivered without a methodology

A compelling, Jordan Belfort-esque pitch might convince you that you need a certain consultancy’s services to help propel your organisation forwards. But ultimately, if the strategy isn’t supported by a methodology that is understood by those applying it, the ambitions of any programme may not be fully realised and could ultimately fail.

2. A methodology keeps you on track

Any methodology worth its salt evaluates the performance of a strategy. By having structured governance and utilising agile, iterative steps, the senior leadership team will be able to assess the impact of any programme on an ongoing basis, enabling maximum accountability for those steering and delivering the programme.

For example, subtle recalibrations to underperforming initiatives could be made to your plan, meaning that you don’t plod on with tasks that are doing nothing for moving your business forward. Without a methodology, it could be months or years before the penny drops.

3. A methodology indicates your transformation partners know what they are talking about

Developing a methodology that works takes time and years of experience, as well a lot of refining. So, when you’re comparing different consultants, always check for customer testimonies and case studies to see their methodology in action. The real experiences of your peers will be more illustrative of a business’s actual service – and whether it’s appropriate for you – than anything else.

4. A methodology provides future-proof infrastructure

By hiring a consultancy with a framework and defined processes, you’ll build up a sustainable organisational infrastructure your future team can enact autonomously. That’ll mean good practices are already enshrined in your business, setting you up for future success.

At Digilanti we have built the STEP model – designed from many years of experience in large scale transformation programmes. We have enabled organisations to propel themselves forward to meet the challenges of an ever evolving world, with successful client delivery in law enforcement, national security and defence across the globe.  Our methodology applies new thinking while not jumping from one new-fangled approach to another based on the whim of some, our approach evolves as innovation and an organisation’s demands evolve.

Over the coming weeks we will start to explore in further detail each element of the Digilanti STEP model, illustrating how with a structured, tried and tested method, we are able to ensure maximum success of any transformation programme for our clients.