Traditional vs Rapid Implementation

Part 2 – 3 Key Factors

Three key factors when deciding between a traditional vs rapid implementation methodology include:

Company Size

Larger enterprises typically have more resources available for improvement projects. The availability of a full time project manager and dedicated process staff enable greater focus for rapid implementations. In addition, large companies have adopted agile methodologies for continuous improvement. Experience with an agile approach allows a company to break larger projects into “sprints” of digital transformation.

Conversely, smaller companies have fewer moving parts. Less people to train, fewer divisions, locations and individuals managing larger percentages of any given process facilitates rapid deployment of new systems. Typically, the more people in the room, the greater the dysfunction!

Process Complexity

Smaller companies tend to be simpler. Fewer layers of management, fewer approvals, and fewer people making decisions lends itself to faster deployment. Smaller companies tend to sell products and services with less complexity to smaller companies or individuals.

Many small and mid-size companies compete on service rather than price. The proximity to the customer by members on an improvement team enables decisions by the team without the need for voice of the customer surveys or other trappings of traditional implementations.

On the flip side, larger companies often have the ability to carve out a location, division or product from a large portfolio for a pilot program. In a pilot program, the larger enterprise can test a new process or system and build a template for future rapid deployments across the larger organization.

Impact on the Organization

A project that re-engineers the entire organization poses more risk than one whose scope is limited. Broad scope projects must either be phased or piloted for rapid implementation. Some processes with cross organization impact just cannot be segmented, and in those cases, the consultative approach is recommended to mitigate risk.

Next Steps

To learn more, watch the Corner Office video series and check out the additional blogposts on this topic:

• Traditional versus Rapid Implementation – Part 2 – Three Key Factors
• Rapid Implementation for ROI
• 6 Additional Factors Impacting the Implementation Approach
• Implementation Leadership

If after watching the videos you are still uncertain if you should choose a traditional vs rapid implementation, contact us by filling out a discovery questionnaire. If you want to start with a Business Blueprint to streamline the final project, you can also complete our Blueprint Discovery Questionnaire. We have different forms for all of our services to make the initial consultative as effective as possible.

Our initial, no obligation consultations are always at no charge.