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Our Approach to Platform Operating Model

25%
Increase in productivity
2X
Faster speed to market
3X to 4X
Increase in customer satisfaction
30%
Reduction in cost
70%
Increase in quality

Companies implement a platform operating model for different reasons. They may adopt the model for the entire organization or for a specific business unit, product offering, or function. Platforms can be led by the C-suite, or five levels down. They can be tech- or business-centric, or both. Whatever the approach, the change must be end to end and include the following five dimensions:

  • Strategic governance. Systems and processes cascade from each other, objectives and key results are dynamically aligned, and priority outcomes are consistently funded.
  • Structure and way of working. Teams include people from both tech and business, are flexible, and follow harmonized, iterative ways of working.
  • Talent and roles. Workplace planning isskills based and AI enabled, and recruiting, upskilling, and reskilling are often required at scale.
  • Culture and behavior. Senior leadership must foster trust that platforms can deliver, which requires enterprise-wide, disciplined behavioral change. Executive coaching often helps activate and embed change.
  • Technology and sourcing. Organizations frequently take a staged approach to modernizing core technology—and must ensure reusability through tight controls on tech architecture.

Companies have different jumping off points for platform operating model transformation depending on their needs and strategy. They may opt to begin by building no-regret priority platforms to deliver value rapidly and iteratively. Or they may launch a full enterprise-wide transition to adopt a platform operating model at scale.

Although the approaches differ, the results are the same. Business platforms help companies break silos, eliminate duplication, and increase quality and speed, all of which have transformational impact.

Our Client Success with Platform Operating Model Design

Bosch Steering IT_still_rectangle.jpg
Bosch Digital reinvented ways of working and realigned talent to create a nimble operating model, meeting the demands of diverse projects and ever-evolving expectations.
How Citizens Is Competing—and Winning—Against Fintechs
Video
August 3, 2022
How Citizens Is Competing—and Winning—Against Fintechs
Michael Ruttledge, CIO of Citizens, explains how a digital transformation has allowed the company to compete against fast-moving startups.
play video

Our Featured Platform Operating Model Solutions

There are a number of common first steps our operating model consulting team helps clients take as they move to adopt business platform strategies.

POM Rapid Diagnostic

Assess gaps and prioritize initiatives needed to support transforming the existing operating model into a platform operating model.
POM Rapid Diagnostic

POM Rapid Diagnostic

GenAI OKR Tool

Harness AI to create effective OKRs and support continuous improvement by providing targeted feedback on OKR maturity on different levels.
GenAI OKR Tool

GenAI OKR Tool

Resolution Room

Create transparency and insights, foster data-driven decisions, and bridge the gap between senior leadership and delivery squads, enhancing quality/speed of output.
Resolution Room

Resolution Room

Platform Design & Build

Design a tech- and data-based modular architecture capable of creating group synergies and delivering value at speed and scale.
Platform Design & Build

Platform Design & Build

Transform a Function

Organize support functions along end-to-end processes, often by grouping cross-functional activities into a global business services structure.
Transform a Function

Transform a Function

Transform a Business

Use platform operating model enablers to transform and deliver enterprise-wide, end-to-end product and service capabilities able to be combined and built on.
Transform a Business

Transform a Business

Strategic Governance

Establish metrics and review processes to monitor progress toward funding, planning, and execution of platform operating model objectives.
Strategic Governance

Strategic Governance

Our Latest Insights on Platform Operating Model

Platforms! Why Now?
Article
October 9, 2023
Rather than attempting once again to optimize the matrix, companies are looking for new organizational solutions.
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Organization-wide platforms for product and service delivery enable agile ways of working and rapid recovery from crisis.
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Digital platforms are fast and efficient—but development often goes wrong. By avoiding the traps that hinder platform development, companies can improve performance and innovation.

Meet Our Platform Operating Model Consulting Team

Kevin Kelley

Managing Director & Senior Partner, Global Lead for Operating Model, Organization, and Cost
Dallas

Nina Kataeva

Managing Director & Partner
Zurich

Remco Mol

Managing Director & Partner
Amsterdam

Jaap Backx

Managing Director & Senior Partner
Amsterdam

Julia Madden

Partner & Associate Director, Agile at Scale
London

Nick South

Managing Director & Senior Partner
London

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