Nail your next Tech & Transformation project with these key governance steps.
In today’s dynamic business landscape, successful Technology & Transformation (T&T) projects hinge on effective customer engagement. For C-suite executives, establishing robust governance is crucial to ensure alignment, drive value, and maximise ROI. Here’s how to get it right:
1. Empower Your Champions
- Clear Roles & Responsibilities: Define crystal-clear roles and responsibilities for both your team and the customer’s key players. Ensure everyone understands their decision-making authority and communication channels.
- Customer Empowerment: Ensure your customer counterpart has the autonomy to champion the project within their organisation. This empowers them to make key decisions and drive internal alignment.
- Open Communication: Foster a culture of open and consistent communication. Implement regular meetings, concise progress reports, and a collaborative platform for seamless information sharing.
2. Map Your Stakeholders
Understanding your customer’s internal landscape is crucial. Develop a stakeholder map to:
- Identify Key Players: Pinpoint the customer’s project lead, sponsors, influencers, and potential roadblocks.
- Project Lead: The key individual responsible for driving the project from the customer side.
- Sponsor: A senior executive within the customer organisation who champions the project and its benefits.
- Influencers: Individuals who can significantly impact the project’s success.
- Potential Roadblocks: Identify any individuals who may resist the project or its outcomes.
- Visualise Relationships: Understand the dynamics between stakeholders and their potential influence on the project.
- Tailor Your Approach: Develop targeted communication strategies for different stakeholder groups based on their level of influence and interest.
3. Plan for Smooth Sailing
Even with the best planning, challenges can arise. Establish a clear escalation path to:
- Proactive Issue Resolution: Ensure a clear process for addressing roadblocks and resolving issues swiftly.
- Multi-Level Escalation: Include various escalation levels, starting with the project leads and progressing to senior management if required.
- Timely Resolution: Set clear timelines for addressing escalated issues to minimise delays and keep the project on track.
By implementing these three key steps, you can establish a robust governance framework, foster strong customer relationships, and drive successful T&T outcomes.