A tailored course, built for your situation
Pragmatic Operating-Model Design for Senior Leaders
Build implementation-grade operating models that align strategy, technology, and execution
$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.
Leaders are expected to deliver strategic outcomes, but without a structured operating model, execution stalls in silos and ambiguity.
The situation this course is for
Even the most well-defined strategies fail when operating models aren't designed with clarity on decision rights, capability ownership, and cross-functional flow. Leaders end up managing friction instead of momentum.
Who this is for
Senior business and technology leaders responsible for shaping or transforming how organizations execute strategy at scale.
Who this is not for
Individual contributors without cross-functional influence, consultants focused solely on short-term projects, or those seeking high-level strategic frameworks without implementation detail.
What you walk away with
- Architect an operating model that aligns with strategic goals and organizational scale
- Define clear decision rights and accountability across functions
- Map capabilities to ownership and governance structures
- Sequence transformation initiatives for compounding impact
- Deploy a living operating model with feedback loops and adaptation mechanisms
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of Operating-Model Design
Establish core principles, terminology, and the role of operating models in strategic execution.
12 chapters in this module
- Defining the operating model
- Strategic alignment vs operational design
- Common failure patterns
- The lifecycle of model evolution
- Governance prerequisites
- Stakeholder mapping
- Assessment baselines
- Design constraints
- Success criteria definition
- Operating model maturity levels
- Integration with enterprise architecture
- Case study: Global financial services transformation
Module 2. Leadership Context and Strategic Intent
Translate organizational vision into operating-model requirements.
12 chapters in this module
- Capturing strategic intent
- Board-level expectations
- Leadership alignment workshops
- Defining value outcomes
- Timeframe horizons
- Risk appetite integration
- Regulatory environment mapping
- Competitive positioning signals
- Technology investment themes
- Workforce strategy linkages
- Customer journey dependencies
- Case study: Multi-year transformation roadmap
Module 3. Capability Architecture and Ownership
Design a capability map with clear ownership, maturity targets, and interdependencies.
12 chapters in this module
- Core vs enabling capabilities
- Capability decomposition techniques
- Ownership models (RACI variations)
- Maturity assessment frameworks
- Investment prioritization
- Vendor-managed capabilities
- Shared services integration
- Capability lifecycle management
- Interdependency mapping
- Capability-to-process alignment
- Digital capability integration
- Case study: Re-platforming through capability focus
Module 4. Decision Rights and Governance Structures
Establish clear decision-making protocols and governance forums.
12 chapters in this module
- Types of strategic decisions
- Decision ownership frameworks
- Escalation pathways
- Forum design (steering committees, councils)
- Cadence and agenda planning
- Decision logging and traceability
- Feedback loop integration
- Data-driven decision prerequisites
- Conflict resolution protocols
- Leadership bandwidth considerations
- Delegation frameworks
- Case study: Reducing decision latency by 60%
Module 5. Operating Boundaries and Accountability
Define functional and cross-functional boundaries with measurable accountability.
12 chapters in this module
- Boundary design principles
- Handoff protocols
- Service-level expectations
- Cross-functional KPIs
- Accountability frameworks
- Performance monitoring dashboards
- Incentive alignment
- Conflict zone identification
- Boundary testing scenarios
- Feedback from edge teams
- Adjustment mechanisms
- Case study: Resolving persistent delivery bottlenecks
Module 6. Process Flow and Execution Sequencing
Map critical workflows and sequence initiatives for maximum leverage.
12 chapters in this module
- Value stream identification
- End-to-end process mapping
- Bottleneck analysis
- Initiative sequencing logic
- Dependency management
- Fast-fail vs phased rollout
- Milestone definition
- Pilot design and evaluation
- Change adoption tracking
- Feedback integration points
- Pacing for organizational capacity
- Case study: Accelerating time-to-market
Module 7. Technology Enablement and Integration
Align technology investments and platforms to operating-model needs.
12 chapters in this module
- Tech portfolio alignment
- Platform ownership models
- Integration architecture principles
- API strategy and governance
- Data ownership and access
- Legacy system coexistence
- Cloud operating models
- Automation readiness
- Vendor ecosystem management
- Cybersecurity integration
- Compliance by design
- Case study: Modernizing core banking infrastructure
Module 8. Talent Model and Organizational Design
Design roles, teams, and career pathways that support the operating model.
12 chapters in this module
- Operating model to org structure
- Role clarity frameworks
- Hybrid work integration
- Skills gap analysis
- Career lattice design
- Leadership development pathways
- Performance management alignment
- Team autonomy levels
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Inclusion in design
- Workload distribution
- Case study: Restructuring for agility
Module 9. Performance Measurement and Feedback
Define KPIs, leading indicators, and feedback systems.
12 chapters in this module
- Outcome vs output metrics
- Balanced scorecard adaptation
- Leading vs lagging indicators
- Feedback collection mechanisms
- Real-time monitoring tools
- Benchmarking strategies
- Adjustment triggers
- Stakeholder satisfaction tracking
- Operational resilience metrics
- Regulatory reporting alignment
- Data visualization standards
- Case study: Improving customer resolution time
Module 10. Change Adoption and Communication
Drive adoption through targeted communication and change support.
12 chapters in this module
- Adoption risk assessment
- Communication cadence planning
- Message tailoring by audience
- Change agent networks
- Training integration
- Feedback response protocols
- Resistance pattern identification
- Celebrating milestones
- Storytelling for change
- Leadership visibility plans
- Sustainment strategies
- Case study: Enterprise-wide operating model rollout
Module 11. Scaling and Adaptation Mechanisms
Design for evolution, growth, and external shifts.
12 chapters in this module
- Modular design principles
- Adaptation triggers
- Scenario planning integration
- Feedback-to-design loops
- Version control for models
- Scaling playbooks
- M&A integration frameworks
- Market disruption response
- Regulatory change adaptation
- Technology shift readiness
- Exit strategies for models
- Case study: Navigating regulatory overhaul
Module 12. Implementation Playbook and Execution
Deploy the operating model with structured support and tools.
12 chapters in this module
- Playbook structure and components
- Kickoff planning
- Stakeholder onboarding
- Template customization
- Progress tracking
- Issue resolution workflows
- Governance activation
- First 90-day milestones
- Mid-cycle review process
- Long-term stewardship
- Knowledge transfer
- Final review and handover
How this maps to your situation
- Designing a new operating model from scratch
- Transforming an existing model under performance pressure
- Integrating acquired units or new business lines
- Scaling operations without proportional cost increase
Before vs. after
Before
Leaders navigate misalignment, unclear ownership, and stalled initiatives due to fragmented operating models.
After
Leaders deploy cohesive, scalable operating models that turn strategy into measurable outcomes with clarity and speed.
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 3-4 hours per module, recommended over 12 weeks for optimal implementation planning.
If nothing changes
Without a structured operating model, even strong strategies degrade into misaligned efforts, duplicated work, and slow execution, eroding competitive advantage and leadership credibility.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic strategy courses or abstract frameworks, this program delivers implementation-grade tools, specific to operating-model design, with templates and a playbook built for real-world application by senior leaders.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Senior business and technology leaders responsible for shaping how organizations execute strategy at scale.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is there video content?
No, the course is text-based to support deep engagement and integration with leadership workflows.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, recommended over 12 weeks for optimal implementation planning..
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