A tailored course, built for your situation
Cross-Functional Operating-Model Design for Senior Leaders
Master the architecture of high-impact collaboration across business and technology functions
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Misaligned functions slow execution, dilute accountability, and erode strategic momentum, even in high-talent organizations.
The situation this course is for
Senior leaders often inherit siloed functions with competing priorities, inconsistent metrics, and unclear decision boundaries. Traditional reorganizations fail to resolve these issues sustainably. Without a coherent operating model, transformation initiatives stall, innovation lags, and performance plateaus despite significant investment.
Who this is for
Strategic leaders in business or technology roles responsible for shaping, aligning, or transforming cross-functional teams and operating models. Typically director-level or above, with influence across multiple domains.
Who this is not for
Individual contributors without cross-functional oversight, specialists focused on narrow technical execution, or those seeking quick-fix team-building techniques.
What you walk away with
- Design a scalable operating model that aligns strategy, structure, and execution
- Define clear decision rights and governance mechanisms across functions
- Map capabilities to business outcomes with precision
- Integrate performance metrics that reflect shared accountability
- Deploy an implementation playbook to operationalize the model with confidence
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of Cross-Functional Operating Models
Establish the core principles, terminology, and strategic importance of integrated operating models.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining the operating model
- The evolution of cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic alignment vs. functional autonomy
- Case for integration in complex organizations
- Common failure patterns and root causes
- Role of leadership in model adoption
- Assessing organizational readiness
- Stakeholder landscape mapping
- Operating model maturity frameworks
- Benchmarking against industry leaders
- Design ethics and inclusion principles
- Setting success criteria
Module 2. Strategic Intent and Organizational Design
Translate business strategy into structural choices that enable cross-functional execution.
12 chapters in this module
- Linking strategy to structure
- Designing for speed vs. scale
- Centralization, decentralization, and hybrid models
- Span of control and reporting relationships
- Functional vs. matrix configurations
- Boundary-spanning roles and teams
- Designing for innovation pipelines
- Operating model implications of M&A
- Global vs. regional design trade-offs
- Resilience and redundancy planning
- Change capacity assessment
- Design validation techniques
Module 3. Governance and Decision Rights
Clarify who decides what, how, and when across functions to reduce friction and accelerate delivery.
12 chapters in this module
- Principles of effective governance
- Decision typology and classification
- RACI and beyond: advanced accountability models
- Cadence design for cross-functional forums
- Escalation protocols and resolution paths
- Balancing speed and compliance
- Data-driven decision governance
- Influence without authority
- Managing power dynamics
- Conflict resolution frameworks
- Feedback loops and adaptation
- Monitoring governance effectiveness
Module 4. Capability Mapping and Integration
Identify, align, and integrate critical capabilities across business and technology functions.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining core vs. enabling capabilities
- End-to-end value chain mapping
- Technology capability taxonomy
- Business capability modeling
- Integration touchpoints and dependencies
- Capability ownership models
- Investment prioritization across functions
- Capacity planning for shared services
- Talent and skill alignment
- Capability maturity assessment
- Roadmapping integrated delivery
- Measuring capability effectiveness
Module 5. Performance Management and Metrics
Design measurement systems that reflect shared outcomes and drive collective accountability.
12 chapters in this module
- From siloed KPIs to shared outcomes
- Balanced scorecard adaptations
- Leading vs. lagging indicators
- Outcome-based performance design
- Cross-functional incentive alignment
- Dashboard design for leaders
- Benchmarking performance across units
- Feedback velocity and adjustment cycles
- Behavioral impact of metrics
- Transparency and reporting norms
- Performance review integration
- Adaptive goal setting
Module 6. Operating Model Execution Framework
Deploy a structured approach to implement and operationalize the model across the organization.
12 chapters in this module
- Phased rollout strategies
- Change management integration
- Communication planning for adoption
- Pilot design and evaluation
- Scaling successful experiments
- Resource allocation for transition
- Tracking implementation fidelity
- Managing resistance and inertia
- Leadership alignment workshops
- Embedding new behaviors
- Sustaining momentum post-launch
- Post-implementation review protocols
Module 7. Technology and Data Architecture Alignment
Ensure the operating model is supported by coherent data and technology infrastructure.
12 chapters in this module
- Data ownership and stewardship models
- Integration architecture principles
- API strategy and governance
- Data flow mapping across functions
- Technology portfolio alignment
- Platform thinking for shared services
- Cloud operating model implications
- Security and compliance integration
- Vendor and partner alignment
- Architecture review boards
- Technical debt and operating model fit
- Future-proofing design choices
Module 8. Talent, Roles, and Organizational Culture
Shape roles, career paths, and cultural norms that reinforce cross-functional collaboration.
12 chapters in this module
- Designing hybrid roles and career ladders
- Cross-functional mobility programs
- Leadership development for integration
- Cultural enablers of collaboration
- Rewarding team over individual success
- Onboarding for operating model fluency
- Inclusive leadership practices
- Feedback culture and psychological safety
- Role clarity and expectations
- Competency frameworks for integration
- Success profile modeling
- Culture measurement and intervention
Module 9. Financial and Investment Governance
Align budgeting, funding, and ROI accountability across functions.
12 chapters in this module
- Zero-based budgeting for integration
- Cross-functional cost allocation
- Investment committee design
- Business case development standards
- ROI attribution models
- Funding models for shared initiatives
- Capital vs. operational spend alignment
- Financial transparency practices
- Scenario planning integration
- Budgeting for agility
- Financial control points
- Audit and compliance alignment
Module 10. Risk, Compliance, and Resilience Integration
Embed risk and compliance into the operating model without sacrificing agility.
12 chapters in this module
- Enterprise risk integration
- Compliance ownership models
- Regulatory change response design
- Control framework alignment
- Audit readiness by design
- Resilience testing protocols
- Incident response coordination
- Third-party risk integration
- Cybersecurity governance
- Legal and contractual alignment
- Crisis management structure
- Recovery and continuity planning
Module 11. Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Build mechanisms for ongoing evolution and adaptation of the operating model.
12 chapters in this module
- Innovation pipeline governance
- Idea intake and prioritization
- Experimentation frameworks
- Learning from failure systematically
- Feedback integration from customers and teams
- Benchmarking against emerging practices
- Operating model stress testing
- Scenario-based design updates
- Lessons learned repositories
- Improvement backlog management
- Future trends scanning
- Model refresh cycles
Module 12. Sustaining and Scaling the Operating Model
Ensure long-term viability and scalability as the organization evolves.
12 chapters in this module
- Operating model maturity assessment
- Scaling frameworks for growth
- Acquisition integration protocols
- Global consistency vs. local adaptation
- Leadership succession planning
- Knowledge transfer systems
- Documentation standards
- Tooling and platform support
- Community of practice development
- External validation and certification
- Stakeholder satisfaction tracking
- Continuous feedback integration
How this maps to your situation
- Leading a transformation initiative with cross-functional dependencies
- Designing a new organization structure post-merger or spin-off
- Responding to increased board or investor scrutiny on execution
- Scaling operations while maintaining agility and alignment
Before vs. after
Before
Operating models are often inherited, inconsistent, and misaligned, leading to friction, delayed decisions, and diluted accountability.
After
Leaders confidently design and deploy integrated operating models that align structure, governance, and execution to deliver strategic outcomes.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 45, 60 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over 8, 12 weeks with flexible pacing.
If nothing changes
Without a deliberate operating model, organizations risk persistent misalignment, escalating coordination costs, and failure to execute strategy at speed, despite strong individual performers.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic leadership courses or academic frameworks, this program delivers implementation-grade tools, real-world templates, and a step-by-step playbook used by senior leaders in complex organizations to design and operationalize cross-functional models.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Senior leaders responsible for shaping or transforming how business and technology functions collaborate, typically at director level or above with cross-organizational influence.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is there a certificate upon completion?
Yes, a certificate of completion is issued after finishing all modules and assessments.
$199 one-time. Approximately 45, 60 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over 8, 12 weeks with flexible pacing..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours