The Way we Work - Our Methodology

We understand that every client is different, and every situation is different. However, we also realise that we can't start each meeting by saying "we can do whatever you want, let us know where to start!". So, much of our website focuses on the areas of our work that we can package into definable service areas. This doesn't mean that we're limited to these interventions, though! Our favourite and most valuable areas of work are the ones where we work with you from assessment of the situation/opportunity, right through to transferring accountability and knowledge back to you.

We think of ourselves as facilitators and process consultants, rather than "those who know best". We acknowledge that we'll have few, if any, answers on day 1 of a project, but we commit ourselves to working with you through a structured process to arrive at the best solution for you.

A typical end-to-end consultancy process with Think Associates would have the following main elements: Diagnostics, Case for Change, Project Management, Realising Benefits.

Diagnostics

We work with you to identify trends, symptoms and root causes, and create some hypotheses about which organisational levers to work on, to address your situation. Our approach focuses on only collecting enough data to inform decisions and solutions, rather than "paralysis by analysis". Our diagnostic phase would involve a wide range of stakeholders, because we understand that getting stakeholders to recognise the issues and buy-in to the process of solving them is at least half of the challenge!

We'd agree the diagnostic tools with you, and these might include web, paper or telephone surveys, research of existing data sources (both inside and outside your organisation), focus groups and structured interviews, and benchmarking.

The diagnosis phase gives us a baseline from which to measure improvements and benefits realisation, and also information to help us design solutions with you.

Making the case for Change

We understand that every attempt to improve the organisation needs to be a managed change, and we understand that the only long-term changes are created by acceptance and buy-in, not by force or compliance. By taking the first step and talking to us, you've already positioned yourself as an agent for change in your organisation. We'll work with you to create a groundswell of optimism about your proposed change, working on emotional as well as rational arguments.

Our change management support in this area can include creating project charters and benefits cases, helping you with a structured approach to stakeholder engagement, and helping you to understand and influence any barriers to change.

Running Great Projects

Once we have engagement for your proposed change, we can support you to run the project to implement the change, or you can outsource some or all of this management to us. A large project may include many of the following elements, all of which we can help with:

Project initiation

Resource planning

Forming project teams, and ensuring they can work together effectively

Day to day monitoring and management of the project

Creating a project knowledge repository

Coaching for change agents and project stream leads

Internal and external communications planning and execution

Implementing technology, and/or increasing staff engagement with technology

Providing training and development plans and resources

Creating and implementing cultural change programmes

Redesigning and re-aligning processes and procedures

Realising Benefits

We realise that if a project has no defined and achievable benefits, it's not worth doing! So we'll help you plan for the achievement of specific benefits, including a plan for "quick wins" to enthuse stakeholders and gain early momentum for your project. If your project benefits are about doing more for less, then we'll help you make sure that the resources freed up are used for something valuable. If your project benefits are about long term intangibles, we'll help you find a way to put measures on these and recognise when you've achieved your goal.

Most importantly we'll make sure that the lessons learned and the knowledge gathered from the project are embedded and used in your organisation, so that future changes and projects can be run even more effectively. We do this through structured knowledge transfer and project wash-up sessions, and are committed to helping your organisation do things for itself rather than creating dependencies on external consultants.

Appropriate level of engagement

Don't worry, we won't insist on a complicated methodology for the smallest of changes! We recognise that a pragmatic approach is important, and that often you'll know up front exactly what workshops, training or support you want us to deliver. This is fine! But if you're not sure about the journey you want to take, we can help to guide and support you at all stages.

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