As a consulting company it is always worthwhile to look back and see what has happened over the past year. What trends did we experience and what did we learn? Taking it one step further is to consider what we learned that needs further application or attention in 2012.
We took time as a team to consider a whole host of lessons learned that need further work in 2012. With a critical eye we have honed it down to a magic five things. In an increasing complex and volatile environment knowing where to put focus will be fundamental for the coming year.
1. Be ready for change – whatever it is. Developing leaders who can anticipate, and then execute on changes when they appear has been receiving increasing attention. “Lead change” and “ability to execute” are top leadership capabilities in today’s volatile market. We have started to see a demand for change management - its effective application, how it integrates with program and project management and what will make change effective in a world of complexity. How to prepare and actively manage throughout organizational planning and implementation will be vital in 2012.
2. Stand out in a complex world. The world is making a large paradigm shift that is revolutionizing not only business but social structures as well. As organizations grapple with this and their need to undertake large transformational initiatives it will require entirely new ways to stand out. We see three core components for 2012 – adopt a creative leadership style (embrace ambiguity), reinvent your customer relationships (better predict what they really want) and build operating dexterity (design for speed and flexibility).
3. Implementing Portfolio Management. Project portfolio management got a lot of attention in 2011 as organizations struggled with which initiatives to undertake and how to best maximize resources and capacity. In theory it makes sense and certainly the value for executive decision making and delivery of benefits is clear. Reality of application and successfully having an organization embrace its use is more difficult. Managing expectations, chopping into bite size executive appetite pieces and having the tenacity to make it happen will be critical in the coming year. Sharing and co-operation with those who have lived it will be one source of improving results.
4. Building Adaptive PMOs. The old style of PMO mandates, structures and services is breaking down and making way for a more transformational type of PMO. Forrester did some recent work on the core characteristics of these types of resilient PMOs. Building on these traits we see 6 top key best practices which will propel the value of PMOs in this transformative world.
5. Translating Strategy into Action. We have seen too many of our clients struggle with overcoming the chasm of strategy to effective and worthwhile business results. We often hear the statement – executing strategy is hard. It requires: careful, thoughtful and intentional leadership, active engagement of employees, the right processes and discipline to use them, and making the link between strategy, operations and people. There is continuous transformation taking place within organizations. Getting it done in a uncertain environment will be a test of persistence and determination.
These five things we learned in 2011 are for your consideration, thoughts and application. Add, subtract or modify. We would love to hear from you on your thoughts as we move into 2012 – the year of the dragon.