Steering transformations? Why an external expert team makes the difference

Starting a transformation project is easy. Ending it successfully – that's the real challenge.

New processes, new technologies, new roles – the map of modern companies changes rapidly. But while the strategy on paper is often clear, the implementation in reality regularly fails at the same points: unclear responsibilities, missing resources, lacking trust in the new direction. And not least at the overload of one's own organization.

How does one steer a project that changes everything – without losing the overview oneself in the process?
Who takes on the responsibility when the project team is long since at its limit? And what to do when one's own experts are supposed to simultaneously shape the future and shoulder day-to-day business?

This is exactly the point at which companies increasingly rely on external support – targeted and with system. Transformation Assurance is the name of the concept that puts change undertakings on a stable foundation. At the center: the Transformation Assurance Manager (TAM) and his team. They ensure that projects not only pick up speed, but also arrive safely at the goal.

What makes an external expert team so valuable?

The complexity of change processes increases. At the same time, the expectations of the steering of these processes rise. It's no longer enough to bring just technological know-how or expertise in IT architectures. Successful transformations require a deep understanding of company processes, change management, methodological competence – and a clear view of risks and opportunities.

Reality shows, however: Even well-positioned companies quickly reach their limits of capacity. Above all when several transformation projects run in parallel, the capacities are often missing to steer the project cleanly and at the same time actively take the workforce along. This is where the approach of an external expert team takes hold.

The role of the Transformation Assurance Manager (TAM)

The TAM is more than an external consultant. He acts as an independent authority in the transformation project – exclusively in the interest of the client. His goal: to ensure that the performance of the implementation partner meets the highest requirements and the transformation reaches the defined goals.

Concretely, the TAM takes on tasks like:

• Review of deliverables and deliverables gates
• Initiation of rework
• Release of project phases

An experienced TAM team brings comprehensive knowledge: about the technology and methodological competence of the implementation partner, about its strengths and weaknesses, but also about the company-internal goals and conditions. The better the TAM knows the company and the more trust is placed in him, the more effectively he can act – independently and efficiently.

Why is Transformation Assurance worth it?

Every transformation project harbors risks. The good news: Many of these risks can be recognized and managed early. But for that, the independent view from outside is needed. This is exactly what an external expert team provides within the framework of Transformation Assurance.

Did you know that a failed IT project in Germany costs on average 1.1 million euros¹? A risk that can be minimized through the investment in an experienced TAM. The decision for Transformation Assurance is thus by no means theoretical, but based on solid economic considerations.

Because: Whoever doesn't transform today risks losing competitiveness. But whoever transforms without the right steering mechanisms risks just as much. In this field of tension, Transformation Assurance offers a field-proven solution – and creates security.

The advantages of Transformation Assurance at a glance:

1. Increased probability of success
Through the additional expertise and the independent view of the TAM, risks are recognized and addressed early. A study by PwC shows: Companies that rely on Transformation Assurance increase their project success chances by up to 35%².

2. Scalability and flexibility
An external TAM team creates scalability that many companies can't depict internally. This way, several transformation projects can be implemented in parallel and efficiently.

3. Cost savings through preventive risk management
Recognize problems early, counteract in a targeted way – that saves money. According to a McKinsey study, proactive risk management, as a TAM team offers, can increase the success rate of projects by up to 27%².

4. Knowledge transfer for long-term competence

An experienced TAM brings best practices into the company. That strengthens not only the current project implementation, but also the long-term transformation competence of the organization.

What distinguishes Transformation Assurance from external project management?

One misunderstanding should be cleared up directly: Transformation Assurance is not simply just external project management.

Of course a project manager can be a stabilizing factor in transformation projects. But the TAM takes on a more far-reaching role. He has the technological and methodological expertise to, for example, steer an implementation partner in the ERP environment in a targeted way – at eye level.
At the same time he's an integral component of the management team and is responsible for the success of the overall undertaking in a considerably more comprehensive framework than a classic project manager. 

Conclusion: Transformation Assurance isn't a luxury, but a necessity

Transformation Assurance makes the decisive difference between ambitious goals and measurable results. Companies that rely on an external expert team increase not only the security of their ongoing transformation projects, but at the same time build up their internal competence for future change undertakings.

What do your current transformation projects look like? Do you already have an independent authority that gives you security and orientation?

grandega offers you a proven methodological approach for Transformation Assurance – with experienced experts who accompany your company. Talk to us if you'd like to sustainably safeguard your transformation.

Because in a time in which change is the only constant, Transformation Assurance can make the decisive difference – between a successful project completion and a failed undertaking.

Source references:

[1] PwC Study Transformation Assurance 
[2] grandega Transformation Assurance