A holistic approach to long-term success

Operating Model (Re-) Design by SMP

If companies are unable to align their regional offices with headquarters, if responsibilities for certain functions are unclear, or if no one feels consistently accountable for the customer journey, this often indicates the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the organizational structure.

We believe that five key factors are essential for a successful operating model (re)design:

  • Design Criteria
    Consistent derivation of design criteria from the requirements of the strategy, the business model, and market success factors.
  • Engagement
    Early and strategic engagement of broad segments of the organization to build commitment for implementation. In particular, this requires a compelling transformation narrative, including coaching, a clear communication strategy, and unambiguous messages, to successfully engage the entire organization.
  • Disagree & Commit
    Following the design process, the leadership team must stand united behind the new operating model and consistently drive the transformation forward.
  • Mindset
    A holistic approach that encompasses everything from processes and technology to organizational structure, with an integrated focus on control and leadership.
  • Decision-making discipline
    Trade-offs between different possible organizational models are made explicit, and decisions are made with full awareness.
     

Classification of the
Operating Model

The operating model serves as the link between a company’s business model and its day-to-day operations. It should effectively put the strategy into action by operationalizing the business model as effectively as possible.

When redesigning the operating model, Struktur Management Partner relies on a structured approach that has already proven successful in many projects. Five components are at the core of this approach: processes, technology, structures, control, and leadership. These are developed collaboratively using a systematic and iterative process.

For each of the five components of the operating model, we address a key question:

  • Processes

    How are products and services created?

  • Technology

    How are digital technologies (including AI) being used to operate as quickly, efficiently, and flexibly as possible?

  • Structures

    Have all tasks from the processes been assigned to specific roles and organizational units—and have the resources been allocated accordingly?

  • Control

    How is performance measured and managed, and how are decisions made?

  • Leadership

    How can leadership have a positive impact on transformation?

    Frame of reference

    It all starts with the key requirements derived from the strategy, the business model, and the market: these serve as the guiding principles for the effective design process of the future operating model. They enable us to evaluate and prioritize various operating model options. Therefore, it is essential to first identify and reflect on these requirements thoroughly and honestly.

    Corporate culture provides the framework for the entire design process. It often has a significant implicit influence on a company’s success and should therefore be given due consideration in every operating model process.

    “Those who adapt their operating model to today’s new challenges are laying the foundation for future success.”

    Our customers' success speaks for itself:

    • Client in the technology industry:

      “Working in short sprints with SMP enabled us to quickly implement quick wins, focus iteratively on the truly relevant issues, and develop a new target operating model.”

    • Customer in the electrical industry:

      “Together, we were able to efficiently integrate these measures into a sustainable project structure and empower our employees to drive the transformation projects forward on their own.”

       

    • Client in the retail industry:

      “In addition to building a performance-oriented service organization, Struktur Management Partner particularly impressed us with its ability to implement our strategic realignment.”

       

    • Customer from the packaging industry:

      “As part of an intensive project, SMP also played a key role in realigning our organizational and plant structure by optimizing the operating model and streamlining the cost structure accordingly—a major step toward sustainably strengthening our competitiveness.”

      Listen to our podcast on operating model (re)design now!

      To the Podcast

      Contact person

      Jan Rodig

      Jan Rodig Partner Diploma in Business Studies

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      Janis Steinfort

      Janis Steinfort Partner M. Sc. & M.A.

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      Oliver Krumm

      Oliver Krumm Principal M. Sc.

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