Operating Models and Work Systems

Too often, organizations create new structures without paying attention to the operating model or how the organization operates; however, new structures with old operating models usually don't produce the desired results.

Sibson can help design new organizations and make them more effective with a "100 day plan" that will guide your organization in designing and implementing a new operating model. This process includes:

Conducting a rapid stakeholder analysis to determine what kind of operating model will work best
Guiding leaders in setting the minimal critical direction on each element of the operating model
Working with design teams to complete the design of the model

Defining the Operating Model

The operating model shows how the strategy and structure of your organization are executed. In order for a new organization to be effective, the operating model must be purposefully reshaped.

The components of the operating model include:

Programs and Services

What programs are common and unique to units?
How is client contact conducted?
What is the standard of service levels?

Organization Structure

Organization units and boundaries
Matrix groups and alignments (functional, geographic)
Levels and spans

Roles and Boundaries

What are the "boundaries" of each unit and what are the shared tasks?
What information should be available across boundaries?
Who has responsibility for what shaped tasks?
Are there any special boundary spanning roles?

Decision Rights

What are the most important decisions and how will they be made?
What are the roles in the decision-making process? (e.g., inform, consult, approve, etc.)
How will decisions be evaluated?

Meeting Schedule and Design

What people and topics included in meetings and regular meetings?
What are the roles in meetings?
What general norms will be followed to make meetings effective?

Goal Setting and Measurement

What are the shared measures for common goals?
How are individual and team goals (levels) set?
What benchmarks will be used?

Designing Work Systems

Sibson uses your organization's business strategy as the foundation for designing work systems and processes. These work systems include a description of the responsibilities, decision rights, key interfaces and critical skills and capabilities for each role in the organization.

Sample Work System

Sample Role Definition