Applied Operating Models: Design and Delivery – Foundation and Practitioner

Explores the foundational ground rules, including established methods, guidelines, best practices, principles, and structures that ensure consistency in Operating Model transformation. Candidates will examine how these frameworks enable organisations to confidently adapt to change, drive innovation, manage risk, and enhance operational efficiency in a sustainable manner. This also includes a discussion on how the emerging OMDDMS standard provides a shared and reliable basis for managing expectations in, and delivering, Operating Model transformation.

Explores the history and evolution of the Operating Model concept, examining its emergence in written work and the key elements that define it. Candidates are introduced to the benefits of developing and managing an Operating Model, along with the drivers, outcomes, and success criteria for successful Operating Model transformation, leading to an understanding of why a properly defined operating model is essential to supporting strategy and organisational efficiency.

Examines the distinction between a methodology and a method, highlighting the benefits a structured method brings to Operating Model design. Candidates will explore the four major components of a method and why a defined approach is essential for developing effective Operating Models. The OMDDM (Operating Model Design and Development Method) is introduced, providing the approach to create and implement a successful operating model.

Provides a comprehensive understanding of how each phase of the OMDDM integrates with industry frameworks, ensuring support for best practices. Candidates will explore the phases of OMDDM, their outcomes, and the rules governing its application, along with critical integration factors and activities, providing the background to successfully integrating OMDDM into industry environments and optimising it for efficiency and effectiveness.

Introduces the Content Model, including its Level 1 and Level 2 concepts, and their role in understanding and structuring an effective Operating Model. Candidates will learn how the Content Model supports Operating Model development by providing a structured approach to organising the necessary elements. In particular, the candidate will examine the important relationship between the Context Concept and the Structure Concept, and how to use each in Operating Model design and delivery.

Explores the fundamentals of strategy, its placement within the Content Model, and the significant organisational and external drivers that influence Operating Model change. Candidates will examine why Operating Model transformation is necessary, learn techniques to analyse operating models, and understand the role of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in shaping sustainable business practices. This also highlights the impact of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on large-scale Operating Model transformation and long-term strategic decision-making.

Examines the roles of the Operating Model Transformation Office (OMTO) and the Operating Model Board (OMB), explaining why they are critical in managing large-scale Operating Model transformation. Candidates will explore the similarities and differences between the OMTO and the PMO (Programme/Project Management Office), as well as the unique change characteristics associated with these management and governance structures. Additionally, candidates will be introduced to effective OMTO and OMB structures, highlighting their necessary role in ensuring successful Operating Model transformation.

Provides a foundational understanding of principles, including their definition, basic structure, and extended structure. Candidates will learn how to develop effective Operating Model transformation principles and apply them in various contexts to guide decision-making and strategy. They will also explore when and why principles are used, ensuring clarity in their role within organisational frameworks.

Explores the importance of incorporating legal considerations into Operating Model design and delivery to ensure compliance and risk mitigation. Candidates will be introduced to the ten major legal areas relevant to Operating Model change and understand their potential impact on business operations. Additionally, the module emphasizes the necessity of seeking professional legal advice to navigate complex regulatory requirements effectively.

Provides an overview of organisations, their structure, and the four major components of organisation design. Candidates will explore why organisation design is essential for understanding Operating Models, the risks of neglecting this, and model approaches used in design. Additionally, this covers generally accepted design principles and standard organisational structures to support effective and scalable business operations.

Explores the importance of good decision-making, its major objectives, and the foundational elements that support effective choices. Candidates will examine the implications of both good and poor decision-making on organisations and learn the principles of decision governance and learn how to structure decision-making processes to enhance responsibility, accountability, consistency, and strategic support.

Explores the concept of decision rights, including their purpose, allocation, and the stakeholders involved in defining them. Candidates will gain a pragmatic understanding of the GDU (Govern, Deliver and Use) framework as opposed to other frameworks such as RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed).  This includes learning such frameworks are used to clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority.

Explores the fundamental concepts of capabilities and services, beginning with defining capabilities, their characteristics, and different types, followed by an examination of capability models and the factors that drive change. Candidates are introduced to the nature of services, identifying various service types, their components, how they function, and their relationship to capabilities illustrating their interdependence in organisational and operational contexts.

Provides an in-depth understanding of the Content Model, a core concept in understanding Operation Models, its structure of 31 components and their significance in understanding, designing, and developing an effective Operating Model. Candidates will also explore the relationship between the Content Model sub-components and their impact on Operating Model design and delivery.

Examines the critical role of the Scope Phase in developing an effective Operating Model, detailing why this is a necessary first step in the process. Candidates will explore the main inputs, outputs, and steps involved in this phase. This also outlines the expected outcomes, providing a clear understanding of how the Scope Phase shapes the overall success of an Operating Model.

Explores the importance of the Discover Phase as a foundational step in developing an effective Operating Model, highlighting its necessity in gathering critical insights to the existing Operating Model. Candidates will examine the inputs, outputs, and step-by-step process involved in this phase and understand the expected outcomes, demonstrating how the Discover Phase informs and shapes the next stages of Operating Model development.

Explores the purpose of conducting an Operating Model assessment, whether as an annual activity, issue resolution, or governed change. Candidates will learn how to compare the current state with the required future state of the Operating Model to deliver, support, and sustain organisational strategy, using both internal and external perspectives. This includes methodologies for using these assessments to drive informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Examines the Analyse Phase, focusing on how it identifies and assesses the impacts of proposed changes to an Operating Model. Candidates will explore the inputs, outputs, and necessary steps involved in this phase, including its relationship to the Scoping Phase. This also outlines the expected outcomes, emphasizing how the Analyse Phase informs decision-making and ensures effective Operating Model development.

Explores the necessity of the Design Phase in developing an effective Operating Model, outlining its objectives and expected outcomes. Candidates will examine the inputs, outputs, and step-by-step process of this phase, along with the role and benefits of Communities of Practice in supporting Operating Model design and delivery efforts. This also highlights how the Design Phase shapes the overall structure and functionality of an Operating Model.

Explores the causes of change in Operating Models and critically the differences between Governed and Ungoverned Change. Candidates will learn to identify ungoverned change, understand its risks, and examine the remediation process to bring ungoverned change under control, while also being introduced to the structured approach to implementing governed change. This provides a framework for managing change effectively to maintain stability and support for all change to an Operating Model.

Examines the essential requirements of the Transition Phase in implementing changes to an Operating Model, ensuring a smooth shift from the current to the future state. Candidates will explore the inputs, outputs, step-by-step process involved in this phase, and understand the expected outcomes, emphasizing how effective transition planning minimizes disruption and ensures successful adoption of changes.

Provides an understanding of risk, its placement within the Content Model, and main risks associated with Operating Model change. Candidates will explore the roles and relationships between the Operating Model Transformation Office (OMTO) and the Operating Model Board (OMB) in managing transformation risks. Importantly, this also introduces the three core areas of the ISO 31000 risk management approach and its linkages to the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method, offering a structured framework for effective risk mitigation.

Explores the importance of the Monitor Phase as a critical step in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of an Operating Model. Candidates will examine the inputs, outputs, and the step-by-step process involved in monitoring performance and identifying necessary adjustments. This also provides an outline of the expected outcomes, emphasising how continuous monitoring supports long-term operational success and adaptability.

Explores the concept of governance, differentiating it from management and highlighting its importance across all phases of Operating Model development. Candidates will examine the nine areas of the Operating Design and Development Method Governance Framework and key governance concepts, including principles, standards, policies, regulations, procedures, and guidelines. Additionally, the two main functions of the Govern Phase are covered, explaining their necessity in ensuring structured oversight and compliance in Operating Model transformation.