e-mpirical

The empirical experience

Our methodology, the empirical experience is a 6 stage process that builds the capacity for sustainable change. It was developed and refined with that single most important element of successful transformation in mind- people. People respond very differently to change so the foremost challenge is to bring those affected to a state where they believe that change is necessary, targets are realistic and buy-in is right for them.
We use an adapted version of our methodology for all our projects as many of the outcomes that ensure successful transformation are just as relevant to delivering any project to budget and timely conclusion.

What you can expect at each stage

 

Clarify. 40% of transformation efforts still fail. A significant reason is lack of attention being directed towards acquiring a clear understanding of the existing situation -stakeholders, interdependencies, motivators - and the outcomes required at the onset. Lack of clarity fosters uncertainty. Uncertainty provides ample opportunity for any transformation effort to be hijacked. During ‘clarify’ we work with key stakeholders to make sure we have all the information needed to understand the programme and scope its roadmap.

Engage. Engagement is more than simple involvement. Stakeholders can often be involved at the ‘reluctant’ level. Engagement brings with it a commitment to be a proactive and willing contributor, certain you are addressing priorities when allocating time and limited resources. Activities delivered during ‘engage’ ensure that anyone who could at anytime say ‘No’ is included and involved to the right level from the outset.

Explore. During ‘explore’ we work with a cross representative group of frontline experts who deliver the work on a day to day basis to thoroughly understand the current situation. We use whatever tools and techniques are most appropriate for your people and your objectives to build a visual of what exists. This allows people to explore it through the customer’s eyes. Through objective enquiry we allow people to understand the impact current ways have on resources and bottom line and identify the waste and frustration that are the inevitable outcome of any process or system that has grown organically. This cultivates the shared sense of constructive discontent that creates an appetite for change.

Envisage. Workshops and events facilitated during ‘envisage' result in all participants gaining an understanding of what change will look like and the steps needed to deliver it. This generates enthusiasm and confidence.

Implement. During ‘implement’ what was envisaged is rolled out as a pilot within a controlled environment. This is the time for everyone to check that there are no unintended consequences of what was envisaged! We use the well tested ‘experiment, check, revise’ technique to ensure the benefits of the transformation do not create downsides somewhere else. We also identify and agree meaningful measures to inform further improvement.

Embed transformation. As practitioners who go the journey with you, rather than consultants who advise, we built our methodology to ensure that by the time we handover an assignment your people are confidently in the driving seat. They will have the skills, experience and attitudes necessary to embed change. In the final analysis change sticks when new ways of working become ‘the way we do things round here.’ Key stakeholders will know the business case for any actions or investment required to anchor change into the organisation’s culture. Your people will also be alert to the dangers of declaring victory too soon, knowledgeable about how to respond positively to things not going as planned and capable of identifying and implementing the actions needed to address inevitable challenges.