Question 1

Describe in 500 words the benefits to an organization of completing the Understand phase.

Accepted Answer

The Understand phase is a crucial step in the process of organizational development and change. This phase involves gathering information, analyzing data, and gaining a deep understanding of the current state of the organization. There are several benefits to an organization of completing the Understand phase, which can have a significant impact on the success of any change initiative.

First and foremost, completing the Understand phase allows the organization to identify and understand the root causes of any issues or challenges it may be facing. By gathering data and analyzing information, the organization can gain insights into the underlying factors that are contributing to these problems. This understanding is essential for developing effective strategies and solutions to address these issues and drive meaningful change within the organization.

Furthermore, the Understand phase provides the organization with a clear picture of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis). This analysis can help the organization to identify areas where it excels and areas where it needs to improve. By understanding its internal and external environment, the organization can make informed decisions about where to focus its efforts and resources in order to achieve its goals and objectives.

In addition, completing the Understand phase can help to build consensus and alignment within the organization. By involving key stakeholders in the data gathering and analysis process, the organization can ensure that everyone has a shared understanding of the current state of the organization and the need for change. This can help to create a sense of urgency and commitment to the change initiative, as well as foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork.

Another benefit of completing the Understand phase is that it can help to identify potential barriers to change. By understanding the current state of the organization and the factors that are contributing to its challenges, the organization can anticipate and address potential obstacles that may arise during the change process. This can help to minimize resistance to change and increase the likelihood of successful implementation.

Furthermore, completing the Understand phase can help to build a strong foundation for the rest of the change process. By gaining a deep understanding of the current state of the organization, the organization can develop a clear and compelling case for change. This can help to secure buy-in from key stakeholders and create a sense of urgency and momentum for the change initiative.

Overall, completing the Understand phase is essential for any organization that is seeking to drive meaningful change and improve its performance. By gaining a deep understanding of its current state, the organization can identify root causes, build consensus, identify potential barriers, and lay a strong foundation for the rest of the change process. This can ultimately lead to more successful and sustainable change outcomes for the organization.

Question 2

The Project Sponsor says that we have already documented the current processes. "They are somewhere around here!". What should you do? Should you complete all or some of the Understand phase. If some, which parts and why?

Accepted Answer

It is important to complete the Understand phase, even if the Project Sponsor believes that the current processes have already been documented. This is because the Understand phase involves not only documenting the current processes, but also analyzing and validating them to ensure that they are accurate and complete.

If the current processes are "somewhere around here", it is possible that they may not be easily accessible or may be outdated. Therefore, it is important to complete the Understand phase to ensure that all relevant documentation is gathered and reviewed. This will also provide an opportunity to identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the current processes.

Additionally, completing the Understand phase will help to ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the current processes, which is essential for the success of the project. It will also provide a solid foundation for the next phases of the project, such as designing and implementing new processes.

In summary, it is important to complete all parts of the Understand phase, including documenting, analyzing, and validating the current processes, to ensure that the project is based on accurate and complete information.

Question 3

Are Innovate workshops better than the project team redesigning the processes and presenting them to the business for their consideration and agreement (or otherwise)? Why / why not?

Accepted Answer

It ultimately depends on the specific circumstances and goals of the organization. Innovate workshops can be beneficial because they bring together diverse perspectives and expertise to generate new ideas and solutions. They can also foster creativity and collaboration among team members. However, the project team redesigning the processes and presenting them to the business allows for a more in-depth understanding of the current processes and potential improvements. It also ensures that the team takes ownership of the redesign and can effectively communicate the rationale behind their proposed changes. In some cases, a combination of both approaches may be the most effective, with innovate workshops generating initial ideas and the project team refining and presenting them to the business for consideration. Ultimately, the best approach will depend on the specific needs and dynamics of the organization.

Question 4

When considering a new organization structure, in a process-focused BPM transformation program, is it important to link the People phase activities with the level 1 and 2 process information determined in the Foundations and Enablement phases? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When considering a new organization structure, in...

Question 5

Create a case to convince senior executives of an organization that completing the Enablement phase is a good thing to do and will benefit the organization, even if the organization is only completing a small number of BPM activities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Create a case to convince senior executives...

Question 6

What are some of the activities the BPM team could do to ensure the business are mentally (enthusiastic and motivated) ready for the implementation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are some of the activities the...

Question 7

All benefits are measurable. State your opinion on this and why. If you disagree, show justification.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All benefits are measurable. State your opinion...

Question 8

The business manager for the BPM program/project believes that Launch pad phase should be completed within a week. He says: "Let´s not waste time. Let´s get into starting the improvement of the processes." Describe how you would handle this situation to complete the Launch pad phase in sufficient detail to establish the program/project for success?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The business manager for the BPM program/project...

Question 9

What happens if the Executive workshop does not produce or agree on the "rules of the Innovate phase game"? That is, you have no constraints, or guidance on the boundaries for the Innovate phase workshops. How should this be handled? Is it necessary to handle it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What happens if the Executive workshop does...

Question 10

An organization is completing a process-focused transformation program (or a large scale BPM program) The opponents to BPM (or several senior executives) do not believe the Enablement phase is necessary and a waste of time and money. Create a detailed strategy of how you will overcome this to ensure the Enablement phase is completed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An organization is completing a process-focused transformation...

Question 11

The Project Sponsor does not wish to complete the Understand phase. She says: "Look we know the processes are broken. We just need to fix them, so let's not waste time (and consulting dollars) on documenting the current processes." Mount an argument for the completion of this phase.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Project Sponsor does not wish to...

Exam 13: Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of BPM Transformation Program