How can you successfully implement your transformation plan?

By Jennifer Montérémal

Published: November 16, 2024

Company directors, is the time for change? Are you thinking of implementing a transformation plan to make your mark in an increasingly competitive market?

Yes, but according to a McKinsey study, 70% of transformation plans end in failure, a figure that rises to 84% in the case of digital transformation.

Don't panic, Appvizer comes to the rescue and reveals the steps to a successful transformation project, with the added bonus of a free downloadable guide to digitizing and securing your business with peace of mind!

On the road to success!

See all software Project Portfolio Management (PPM)

Why do business transformation plans fail?

On paper, a transformation plan presents no particular difficulties. It's nothing more or less than classic project management , a set of activities to be carried out in order to achieve a goal: to innovate. And this can be achieved in a number of different ways:

Digital transformation,
Organizational transformation,
Business transformation,
Managerial transformation, etc.

Yet many organizations fail to do this. Why?

❌ They don't take the human factor into account. Yet a transformation plan is always accompanied by some form of resistance to change. And this is true at all levels of the company, from top management to operational staff.
❌ They lack listening and communication skills. Middle managers or even field teams are not listened to enough, even though they are closest to the reality of the business.
❌ They don't pay enough attention to all the contextual factors that are so key to driving change: work environment, corporate values, management stance, technological maturity, etc.
❌ They do not establish an optimal framework. Any transformation project must be framed as a project in its own right, to avoid delays or even uncontrolled budgets.
❌ They think they're running out of time. Once the strategic decisions have been taken, the implementation of concrete actions is delayed... at the risk of seeing other "priorities" emerge. It's not a question of going faster than the music, but of structuring the project to control time and deadline constraints.

Now that you know the pitfalls to avoid, let's move on to the steps you need to follow to implement a winning transformation plan.

How to build an effective transformation plan? 7 steps not to be missed (+ free guide)

Step 1: Define your objectives

You're ambitious, you swear by innovation... but don't spread yourself too thin. Take the time to think about the precise objectives you want to achieve and the results you expect.

So identify the needs your transformation plan must meet, whether economic, strategic or social.

💡 Some examples:

Evolve management and processes to improve efficiency and productivity ;
Modify your brand image to conquer a new market;
Increase your sales to stay competitive, etc.

☝️ The stakes involved in your transformation must be aligned with :

your business sector and economic environment,
but also with your organization's vision and values, to facilitate understanding and buy-in from your teams.

And speaking of buy-in, it's time to get your people involved.

Step 2: Involve your employees

At this stage, communicate the objectives of the transformation plan to your employees. Then gather their thoughts, in a free and uninhibited way, regardless of time or budget constraints. You can refine the plan later.

💡 This process feeds the project with ideas from all the company's players - all are good to take. What's more, such an approach gets teams more involved and makes it easier for them to understand the strategy. This makes it easier for them to embrace change.

Step 3: Take stock of your company

To take a leap into the future, you need to know where you're starting from.

By auditing your company, you'll be able to take stock of what already exists, and identify the key areas for improvement.

This will reveal the obstacles to be overcome, such as technical problems to be solved (unsuitable software, etc.).

Step 4: assemble your dream team

How do you build your dream team?

When they can, some companies call in a Director of Transformation, a veritable superhero of change.

More commonly, companies appoint project managers to steer the various activities linked to the transformation plan, project managers supported by operational teams closest to the ground.

💡 A word of advice, and not the least: encourage and support the initiatives of those employees who show themselves to be the most committed. These true " agents of change" are a powerful asset in unlocking any form of resistance.

Step 5: Plan the stages of the transformation plan

The transformation plan is made up of different stages, tasks to be carried out, with associated :

deadlines to structure the project over time,
the people responsible for carrying them out.

This planning goes hand in hand with prioritization. Which tasks need to be carried out first to meet the main challenges?

💡 We can't talk about projects without mentioning agility, and the flexibility it offers to deal more effectively with the unexpected. In fact, many experts recommend adopting an iterative approach as part of a transformation plan. In other words, don't sweep the existing situation under the carpet, but move forward progressively.

Step 6: Manage the project effectively

Are you ready to launch your transformation plan? It's time to fasten your seatbelt and manage your project effectively. Your objective?

Ensure that everything is moving in the right direction;
Track progress and monitor the achievement of results;
Demonstrate responsiveness in the face of risks and hazards.

💡 The steering committee (COPIL) or project committee (COPRO) are decisive bodies for ensuring that the transformation plan runs smoothly, and for arbitrating decisions, particularly in the face of potential risk. Consequently, the members are carefully selected, and aware of the issues at stake as well as the obstacles to be faced.

🛠️ Where there's management, there's software! This is all the more true in the context of a transformation plan generally involving the cohabitation of several projects.

We recommend the use of project portfolio management software. One example is Triskell, an agile PPM solution that is also a true corporate governance tool. With this solution, you can manage the entire value chain of your transformation plan, from global strategy planning through to operations. All while integrating all time, resource and budget constraints.

Step 7: Communicate, communicate... and communicate!

In reality, this is not just a step, but the common thread running through your entire transformation plan. If communication isn't optimal, how can you get your teams to understand the benefits of change?

So take the time to get the right messages across, so as to unite all employees (sometimes spread across different departments) around a common vision, even if it means repeating yourself.

What's more, through your communication activities, you can clearly explain the benefits to be gained from the transformation. It's a good way of removing obstacles and doubts, and getting everyone on board!

[Bonus] Examples of business transformation to inspire you

Need an example of a successful business transformation project to inspire you? Here are 20.