From planning to reality 

Companies are increasingly recognizing the need to transform their processes, technologies and strategies in order to remain competitive. However, while the planning of this transformation is often well thought out, many projects fail when it comes to implementation. A study by McKinsey entitled “The Inconvenient Truth About Change Management” shows that 70 percent of change initiatives in companies fail – often not because of poor planning, but because of inadequate implementation strategies. In this article, we look at how organizations can successfully make the transition from planning to reality by developing effective implementation and enablement strategies.  

The gap between planning and implementation

Many companies develop elaborate plans to optimize their processes and technologies. Whether it’s eliminating technical debt, closing gaps through a gap analysis or conducting process re-engineering, the planning phase is usually structured and clearly defined. However, the biggest challenge lies in successfully putting these plans into practice. Frequent stumbling blocks are: 

• Lack of resources or skills: Teams are often not sufficiently empowered or trained to carry the implementation. 
• Resistance to change: Employees who are attached to old processes are often unwilling to adopt new ways of working. 
• Poor communication: Unclear communication between managers and implementation teams leads to misunderstandings and delays implementation. 

To close the gap between planning and reality, companies need clear implementation strategies and enablement approaches to ensure that everyone involved is prepared for the change. 

Steps for successful implementation

1. Set clear goals and priorities: 
   The first step to effective implementation is to set clear, realistic goals that are aligned with the company’s overall strategy. Without concrete goals, the gap between the current state and the target state will remain. 

   SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) provide a proven framework to ensure that goals are precisely defined and understood by all. For example, if an organization wants to reduce technical debt, it should set clear milestones, such as reducing maintenance times by 20 percent in a certain period of time. 

2. Allocate resources and responsibilities: 
   Without the right resources and clear accountabilities, even the best plan can fail. It is crucial to have the right people in the right places and to provide them with the necessary tools and authority. This includes providing sufficient budget, technical infrastructure and supporting technologies. 

   Responsibilities should be clearly assigned, and it is helpful to designate a project manager or dedicated implementation team to monitor progress and ensure everyone stays on track. 

3. Set timeframes and milestones: 
   Another key to success is setting a realistic timeline with clear milestones. The plan should be flexible enough to respond to unforeseen challenges, but binding enough to keep the pressure on. These milestones serve as indicators as to whether the project is on track or whether adjustments need to be made. 

   This is where the agile approach can be beneficial: Through regular iterations and feedback loops, the team remains flexible and can make necessary adjustments without losing sight of the overall goal. 

Empowerment strategies: preparing employees for change

One of the biggest challenges when implementing new processes or technologies is empowering employees. Without the commitment and skills of those who are to use the new systems and processes, the change will not be sustainable. Change management is therefore an essential part of any implementation strategy. 

1. Training and education: 
   Companies should ensure that their teams have the skills to use new technologies or processes effectively. This can be achieved through training, workshops or mentoring programs. 

   As part of process optimization or technical debt analysis, it is also important that developers or IT teams understand how new systems work and how they can avoid technical debt through better code or more efficient systems.

2. Communication and employee engagement: 
   Effective communication is at the heart of any successful implementation strategy. Employees need to understand why change is happening, what benefits it will bring and how their role might change. This can only be ensured through regular meetings, company updates and feedback loops. 

   It is also important to involve employees in the change process. If they are actively involved in the planning and implementation, they will be more willing to accept and support the change.  

3. Appoint change agents: 
   These are employees who act as role models for change and motivate and support others in the company. Such individuals are often particularly committed and can promote understanding and acceptance of new processes within the team. By deploying change agents, companies can create a positive dynamic and anchor the change sustainably throughout the company.

The importance of monitoring and adaptation 

Even with the best plans and training, it is unlikely that an implementation will run smoothly from the outset. It is therefore important to continuously monitor progress and make adjustments where necessary. 

1. Measuring success: 
   Defined KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and metrics help to measure the success of the implementation. These can be technical metrics such as the reduction of technical debt or operational metrics such as the improvement in process speed. 

2. Obtain feedback: 
   Regular feedback from employees working directly with the new processes or technologies is critical. This feedback helps to identify problems at an early stage and make the necessary adjustments.

3. Willingness to adapt: 
   The ability to respond flexibly to unexpected challenges is crucial to the success of implementation. An iterative approach (e.g. agile methods) can help here, as it enables continuous adaptation and optimization without jeopardizing the end goal. 

Conclusion and recommendations for action 

The implementation of strategic plans requires clear objectives, the right resources and strong change management. Effective implementation and enablement strategies help to master the transition from planning to reality and achieve long-term improvements. 

Are you ready to turn your plans into reality? Contact us to develop customized implementation and empowerment strategies and make your change initiatives successful! 

About the author

Mathias Herrmann

CEO at ALLEHERZEN

Mathias Herrmann is an internet entrepreneur going back to the Internet’s early days with a deep interest in digital and future technologies. For over 20 years, he has been helping companies make the most of their data by forging innovative solutions – without forgetting the people behind the data.

Book a free video call of 30 or 60 minutes directly now:

Book with Google Meet

Book with MS Teams