TRANSFORMATION IS A FOUR LETTER WORD...HARD pt6

Success Factor # 5 - Support

It is vital to have leadership’s unwavering support for the transformation, its goals, benefits, and why it is needed. Earlier we discussed the creation and communication of the new corporate vision. Here, we are talking about the actual words and actions of leadership showing their support for the project’s success.

As a lead member of a company-wide ERP implementation, I saw this level of support first hand. Recognizing the importance of the project, company leadership and senior management regularly communicated the goals of the project. They also assisted in clearing internal or external logjams or resource challenges, ensuring that the project received what it needed to succeed. The project went live on time and on budget and was a big success.

Recommendations:

1. Designate a Sponsor for the project. This person needs to be from the “C” suite or VP level and has the following responsibilities:

a. Ensuring the project’s success

b. Acting as executive spokesperson & champion

c. Involved with the project charter, scope, go/no-go decisions

2. Ensure that senior management also understands and performs their role of breaking down internal barriers, resistance, or obstacles to the project’s success.