You greatly increase the probability of success of executive transformation initiatives when you are clear about what steps to take.

This note lays out a useful framework for organizing and managing the five phases involved in complex executive transformation initiatives and identifies key actions for each phase.

Diagnose – Where are we currently and how did we get here?

• Identify key stakeholders
• Review current situation and how we got here
• Review why we need to make a change
• Determine what is at stake for each stakeholder
• Enlist stakeholders to work with you

Develop – Where we are going?

• Frame near term, long term organizational objectives and goals
• Explore options and constraints
• Develop a strategy for gaining commitment of relevant others

Design – How will we get there?

• Determine where you want to end up
• Design components of organization systems (e.g. compensation, organization structure, communication, integration, culture)
• Design implementation plan
• Design communication plan
• Develop potential problem analysis
• Develop and agree on metrics to track goal achievement

Implement

• Execute the plan
• Monitor feedback and develop course corrections
• Communicate progress to stakeholders

Get Feedback – How are we doing?

• Solicit feedback from stakeholders
• Integrate feedback – plan next steps