A tailored course, built for your situation
Strategic Operating-Model Design for Cross-Functional Programs
Build scalable, aligned operating models that power complex, cross-team initiatives from concept to execution
The situation this course is for
Even well-resourced initiatives stall when roles, decisions, and workflows aren't intentionally designed. Misalignment across functions creates delays, duplication, and eroded trust. Without a shared operating model, teams default to ad hoc coordination, reactive firefighting, and inconsistent outcomes.
Who this is for
Business transformation leads, program managers, operating executives, and technology strategists responsible for delivering results across siloed functions
Who this is not for
Individual contributors not involved in cross-team coordination, or leaders focused only on single-department optimization
What you walk away with
- Design a clear, scalable operating model tailored to your program’s scope and stakeholders
- Define decision rights and escalation paths that prevent bottlenecks
- Integrate workflow cadences across functions without overburdening teams
- Implement performance feedback loops that enable continuous adaptation
- Apply governance frameworks that balance agility with compliance and risk controls
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
- Defining the operating model in a program context
- The evolution of cross-functional delivery
- Core dimensions: structure, process, people, technology
- Strategic alignment vs operational execution
- Common failure patterns and root causes
- Case study: Global product launch operating model
- Assessing organizational readiness
- Stakeholder mapping for operating model design
- Operating model lifecycle phases
- Balancing centralization and autonomy
- Measuring operating model maturity
- Design principles for adaptability
- Principles of effective program governance
- Designing tiered governance forums
- Mapping decision types and ownership
- RACI alternatives for dynamic environments
- Escalation protocols and conflict resolution
- Integrating compliance into governance flows
- Balancing speed and oversight
- Facilitation techniques for governance meetings
- Documenting and socializing governance rules
- Adjusting governance for program phase
- Measuring governance effectiveness
- Case study: Merging IT and operations governance
- Defining cross-functional roles with precision
- Designing hybrid role structures
- Accountability frameworks beyond RACI
- Managing dual reporting relationships
- Clarifying boundaries between functions
- Onboarding roles into the operating model
- Handling role conflict and overlap
- Performance indicators for cross-functional roles
- Role evolution across program lifecycle
- Integrating external partners and vendors
- Tools for visualizing role networks
- Case study: Launching a global transformation office
- Mapping interdependent workflows
- Identifying integration points and handoffs
- Designing lightweight coordination rituals
- Synchronizing planning cycles across functions
- Integrating agile and waterfall approaches
- Managing dependencies and critical paths
- Tools for workflow visualization
- Automating status updates and reporting
- Reducing coordination overhead
- Handling exceptions and rework loops
- Aligning incentives across workflow stages
- Case study: Integrating marketing and sales launch plans
- Principles of effective meeting design
- Designing cross-functional cadences
- Aligning planning, review, and retrospective rhythms
- Timeboxing and agenda discipline
- Balancing frequency and fatigue
- Integrating data into review cycles
- Remote and hybrid cadence best practices
- Role of dashboards in execution rhythm
- Adjusting cadence by program phase
- Measuring cadence effectiveness
- Facilitation skills for cross-functional meetings
- Case study: Quarterly business review redesign
- Designing KPIs for cross-functional success
- Leading vs lagging indicators in complex programs
- Balancing outcome and output metrics
- Creating fast feedback channels
- Integrating qualitative insights into measurement
- Avoiding metric overload and gaming
- Visualizing performance across functions
- Using data for course correction
- Feedback loops for process improvement
- Adapting metrics as goals evolve
- Reporting up to governance bodies
- Case study: Redesigning a digital transformation dashboard
- Assessing change readiness across functions
- Designing targeted communication plans
- Engaging influencers and champions
- Training strategies for operating model fluency
- Addressing resistance and skepticism
- Reinforcing behaviors through recognition
- Linking operating model to performance management
- Onboarding new members into the model
- Sustaining adoption beyond launch
- Measuring change effectiveness
- Iterating based on adoption feedback
- Case study: Rolling out a new operating model in finance and HR
- Assessing tooling gaps in cross-functional work
- Selecting platforms for collaboration and visibility
- Integrating project and program management tools
- Data sharing and access control across functions
- Standardizing templates and artifacts
- Avoiding tool sprawl and redundancy
- Configuring tools to reflect governance rules
- Automating routine coordination tasks
- Ensuring mobile and remote access
- Measuring tool effectiveness
- Managing tool transitions and training
- Case study: Unifying CRM and ERP workflows
- Mapping regulatory requirements to workflows
- Designing control points into processes
- Integrating risk assessment into planning
- Ensuring audit readiness across functions
- Balancing innovation and compliance
- Role of legal and compliance teams in governance
- Documenting decisions and rationale
- Managing data privacy across boundaries
- Third-party risk in cross-functional programs
- Reporting compliance status to leadership
- Adapting controls for program phase
- Case study: GDPR alignment in a global rollout
- Identifying reusable operating model components
- Creating a playbook for model replication
- Customizing models for different contexts
- Managing consistency vs flexibility
- Building a center of excellence
- Sharing lessons across programs
- Standardizing metrics and reporting
- Training operating model designers
- Governance for model evolution
- Technology support for scaling
- Measuring reuse success
- Case study: Scaling a product launch model across regions
- Monitoring signals for model adjustment
- Designing for phase transitions
- Rebalancing roles and governance over time
- Handling organizational restructuring
- Adapting to new technology or market shifts
- Refreshing cadences and workflows
- Incorporating stakeholder feedback
- Managing model debt
- When to sunset an operating model
- Planning for next-generation models
- Tools for model iteration
- Case study: Evolving an operating model post-merger
- Assessing current state operating practices
- Defining future state vision and goals
- Engaging stakeholders in co-design
- Prioritizing model components for rollout
- Creating an implementation roadmap
- Piloting and testing the model
- Gathering early feedback
- Adjusting based on pilot results
- Full rollout planning
- Sustaining and improving the model
- Documenting lessons learned
- Celebrating success and reinforcing adoption
How this maps to your situation
- Launching a new cross-functional initiative
- Scaling a proven program across regions or teams
- Fixing a stalled or misaligned program
- Integrating operations after a merger or restructuring
Before vs. after
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 self-paced learning, designed to be applied incrementally to active programs.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic project management courses or high-level strategy frameworks, this course delivers implementation-grade tools specifically for designing and operating cross-functional programs, with templates and playbooks used in enterprise-scale transformations.
Frequently asked
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.