Cross-Functional Collaboration Is the Secret to Unlocking IT Transformation Success

Guest post by Tim Wadey, Logicalis Advisory Services

Imagine a world where IT projects not only meet but exceed expectations, all while staying within budget and on schedule. It sounds ideal, and it is easier to implement IT projects with cross-functional value stream teams – a trend that has the potential to reshape the delivery of IT transformation.

A proven cross functional team approach brings the right skills together throughout a project, blending them differently as the delivery moves through different stages. Early-stage definition is expert led delivery, run with a solid team mentored by the experts, and then transformation is finessed through flexing the team to support change. This can help to drive both IT and business success, while wrapped in a commercial model that delivers cost effective outcomes.

The Digital Revolution Demands Transformation

In today’s digital age, technology is not only an enabler but a significant cost factor for businesses. The pressure to evolve and innovate is immense. Yet, traditional project approaches and the impact of legacy systems often lead to IT transformation projects going over budget and missing deadlines. Achieving true digital transformation requires a holistic approach that addresses both delivery culture and technology, while also supporting business objectives.

But where should a company begin?

Delivering IT transformation involves navigating a shifting tech landscape. Solutions have evolved dramatically over the past decades, from single-purpose applications on dedicated machines to complex, interdependent, and virtualised systems. To add to the complexity, legacy systems and outdated development models often stand in the way.

Programme management methodologies have also evolved. As well as the traditional waterfall approach, it’s also possible to adopt agile methodologies. It comes down to what strategy will work best for the specific project to continuously deliver business value. However, one aspect is often overlooked: building cross-functional team structures to enable transformation.

Cross-Functional Teams: The Game-Changer

Cross-functional value stream teams are carefully composed to address specific project phases efficiently. In the initial phases, innovative teams led by experienced experts define a project’s complex outcomes. Once defined, the team structure evolves, with junior members taking over coding and testing tasks, mentored by the experts. During testing and deployment, those with good communication skills are more important in landing and coaching users to deliver the full value.

The system employs a flexible team structure with multiple resource levels and leverages the skills of different roles such as evangelists (senior consultants with C-level capabilities who specialise in mapping business strategy to digital strategy), principals (highly qualified individuals who are the driving force behind complex solution architecture and project leadership), senior consultants (well-qualified professionals who contribute strategically and lead solutions with a multi-technology focus) and consultants (experienced team members in their domains).

Whilst the team are engaged throughout, each member is only used as required and engaged efficiently to deliver their component of the outcome. The composition adapts as the project progresses, optimising resource utilisation and allowing team members to contribute to multiple projects or stages. Each team makeup comes with its own cost structure, offering potential for efficiencies from long-term commitments and high-volume projects.

Staying Ahead in the Tech Race

As technology continues to evolve, the composition of teams has become more agile and dynamic. Innovators or evangelists may be younger and tech-savvy, driving the rapid pace of technology adoption – balanced by the more experienced principals with delivery expertise.

Engaging with a transformation partner that can bring these flexible teams together to deliver an outcome within a fixed budget is key. Compare it with the traditional approach of recruiting and retaining a team of contractors with the full skills base for the duration of a project. Not only do you have the initial costs, but baked in inefficiency as the differing skills are required throughout delivery.

Adopting cross-functional value stream teams unlocks numerous benefits for businesses including greater control over costs, better resource allocation and compliance with regulations or requirements. Moreover, it can enhance service or solution delivery for clients while improving team retention and enabling greater flexibility.

By working more efficiently and collaboratively, organisations can develop a transformation approach to IT delivery, underpinned by cross-functional value stream teams. However, it does require commitment and a change in mindset in order to ensure adaptability and effectiveness in achieving both business and client objectives.

Revolutionising the IT transformation journey can be daunting, but it is necessary in order to innovate, thrive and stay ahead of the tech curve. At Logicalis, we already see success in existing clients using a cross-functional model, showcasing low-risk delivery, greater cost control, and effective resource allocation. It is an approach that has the power to unlock greater IT transformation success.

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