It is widely understood that there is no one single solution for the ideal operating model for a particular firm. There will often be constraints such as existing IT systems and interfaces that need to be retained and these can sometimes limit the options available for building the Target Operating Model.

Depending on the current state there may be several options available for the future state:

• Full outsourcing of the selected business function, perhaps with data flowing to and from other systems that need to be retained in-house e.g. a CRM / KYC system
• Partial outsourcing of more granular business functions e.g. outsourcing client reporting or reconciliations whilst retaining other middle and back office functions
• System implementation(s). Moving from proprietary or legacy third party system(s) to a new system(s), perhaps encompassing the functionality of several incumbent systems
• Various hybrid models of the above, incorporating best-of-breed solutions wherever possible

As with all strategic initiatives it is vitally important to consider and plan for the impact on staff, business processes and procedures and infrastructure. It is not uncommon for major initiatives to include moving premises or major infrastructure works within existing premises. These tasks can often have a long lead time and can sometimes result in significant costs being incurred which need to be taken into account during the planning phase

There can be many drivers for reviewing the current operating model and striving to move to an improved future state, these can include:

• Business acquisition or merger
• Sale of a business or de-merger
• The establishment of a new business or new business line, for example, brought about by a change of business strategy
• Perceived weaknesses in the current operating model such as lack of scalability, operational inefficiencies, high levels of risk, poor client service etc.

Our consultants have a great deal of real world experience in helping organisations to build new operating models, we are practitioners and not just theorists. As well as designing future state operating models our consultants have worked with clients to deliver them as well. 

As part of any initiative it is important to build an implementation roadmap for the journey ahead. Depending on the size of the organisation concerned moving to a new operating model can often take several years. Such major initiatives should ideally be done in small but agile steps and deliver benefits throughout the journey. Our consultants have worked closely with several firms to help them to build out implementation roadmaps and to help firms to understand the costs, benefits, timelines and sequence of the steps needed to get from the current state to the new Target Operating Model.