Don't underestimate the power of live workshops

When I was with a group of Gartner analysts we were discussing how to build momentum into process-focused projects. Firstly you need to use live workshops so people see results happening quickly. Secondly you get consensus at the end of the workshop which allows you to get one with the next level workshops.

When taking about using live workshops to map out the business definition with the end users they were shocked. At first they didn’t believe that you could use this technique with a bolshy management team. How could you hold their attention for half a day or a whole day? Part of that is the skill of the facilitator, but most of it is they quickly see how valuable the results are.

To be able to see the operational strategy of the entire company on a single page is fundamental to getting alignment of the team – but I’ve never see it in companies. Not quite true – I’ve seen it after the first week of the engagement with our clients. Other remarkable things happen. You can then identify the priorities of the project. Often when the scope of the project is the supply chain which crosses functional boundaries – i.e. Quote-to-Cash or Ideas-to-Product, the real cause of the problems is masked. Mapping it out with the management team quickly identifies the priority areas within the supply chain to be tackled first. And what is interesting, more often than not, it is not the place everyone first though when they were looking at each area in splendid isolation.

I’ve written a whole paper on Running Senior Level Workshops and why it is like being a stand-up comedian. You know the lines, you know what works, you know what you are trying to achieve….. but you have no idea on the audience and how they will react.

It can be found at www.nimbuspartners.com in the downloads section.