Strategy
Transformation
Plain English
A major change in how something works.
Definition
Transformation is a fundamental change in how a glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, organisation, or experience operates, often involving structure, glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term, and glossaryBehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term.
In practice
Applied to redesigning glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, improving experiences, or shifting how organisations deliver value.
In context
It is measured properly only by what stopped. If nothing was decommissioned, no role changed and no glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term was retired, the organisation added glossaryCapabilityCapability refers to an organisation’s ability to perform a specific function or deliver a particular outcome.Open glossary term rather than transforming.
The reality
Transformation is often treated as a one-off project, but it’s an ongoing glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term.
Compared with
Transformation vs Change Management
Transformation is the destination, a fundamentally different way of operating. glossaryChange ManagementChange management is the process of planning and managing how changes are introduced and adopted within an organisation.Open glossary term is the discipline of getting people there. glossaryTransformation ProgrammeA transformation programme is a coordinated set of initiatives aimed at fundamentally changing how an organisation operates.Open glossary term fail on the second far more often than the first.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is transformation?
Transformation is a fundamental change in how something operates.
How is transformation different from improvement?
Transformation is a major shift, while improvement is incremental.
Why is transformation difficult?
It requires changes to glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term, glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term, and glossaryBehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term.
What drives transformation?
Technology, user needs, and business goals.
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