Implementing the Change

The framework’s Implement phase prepares all stakeholders who will be affected by the implemented solution in some way. It’s also releases versions of the integrated solution according to the transformation strategy.

Results

During the Implement phase, an organization puts in place all the changes necessary to achieve initial performance improvement and to continue to improve. It delivers the early and ongoing results by running trials and pilot tests, educating key stakeholders, and rolling out the solution in a series of releases.

Concepts Handled

Figure 5.11 depicts the concepts dealt with in the Implement phase.

Concept Knowledge Reused

Going into the Implement phase, you will have many capabilities developed and ready for exploitation. Everything that you’ve worked for is ready to go live or at least ready for live testing. Make sure that no developments have lagged behind because failure can result from any one of the factors that’s supposed to have been completed by now.

Your processes and rules will have been tested in scenario walkthroughs. Workflows will be stable using defined new roles.

Your HR guidance, enablers, and structures will have been established and communicated. They will be ready to be rolled out and used.

Your facilities and equipment will be ready for the pilot and ultimately ready for full implementation in existing and new locations.

Your IT applications, networks, databases, and other systems technology will be tested and ready for pilot testing and full rollout.

The transformation strategy guidance will tell you what to do, when to do it, and where to do it. It should also be clear as to who will be responsible. At this point, old concerns might have been dealt with but new ones will arise from anywhere and anyone. Keep on top of it, and never stop listening and communicating.

Concept Knowledge Created

The first set of knowledge to be produced is the readiness for the pilot project, where full business testing will take place for the first time. You have to be sure to tune the process to the pilot location’s peculiarities after you pick the trial site. You must prepare the managers and staff to be ready to give it a fair trial. Make sure that they are trained. You are testing the materials also. Make sure that other involved stakeholders are trained on aspects that affect them. Also make sure that the facilities are ready and work before starting up a trial with real customers. For all of this, the first thing to do is prepare a comprehensive (in scope, if not depth) plan for the conduct of the pilot project.

As a result of the pilot test, you will have learned a lot. Some things you will be happy with, and other things you will want to change. Many of the guides and enablers will require some minor or major updates.

Your pilot will have provided you with experiences, lessons, and performance measures that will guide the changes you have to make. These changes should be reflected in a new version of the transformation strategy and a much more specific transformation plan. Changes or refinements to the process workflow, rules, technologies, facilities, and human enablers will be required and will have to be sent back to the Develop phase for attention.

After updates are made and the specific transformation plan is produced, make sure that all staff and other stakeholders involved in the rollout and ongoing operation are trained and capable. This includes managers, knowledge workers, customers, and suppliers. Also, make sure that all other stakeholders who aren’t directly affected—such as the public, shareholders, community groups, environmental agencies, and regulators—don’t experience surprises. The humans must be ready to roll.

When implementation is deemed finished, you will have a set of performance measures against your KPIs and will know how you’ve done. The technology, facilities, and people will all be settled in.

Steps

The following steps are recommended to populate the concepts of the Implement phase. They are described in detail in Chapter 16, “Implementing and Rolling Out the Business Solution”:

1.	Prepare for business testing.
2.	Complete business tests and pilots.
3.	Update deliverables.
4.	Educate management.
5.	Develop rollout plans.
6.	Train staff.
7.	Develop and run marketing programs.
8.	Roll out changes.