In the realm of large-scale organizational transformations, one critical element often determines success or failure: the people. An operating model redesign demands a profound understanding of an organization’s social fabric, and this is where Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) can be leveraged as a diagnostic tool to educate leaders about the informal collaboration networks in their organization. In this article, we dive into the transformative potential of ONA, its ability to identify and address people-related gaps, and how organizations can reap the benefits of using ONA for large-scale organizational transformation and operating model redesign. 

People-Related Gaps During Large-Scale Organizational Transformation 

1. Information Bottlenecks: As organizations grow, information tends to get trapped within hierarchical silos, leading to delays in decision-making and hindering the flow of crucial knowledge during transformation.  
2. Resistance to Change: Introducing a new operating model often sparks resistance among employees who are accustomed to the old ways of doing things. This resistance can impede progress and undermine the success of the transformation.  
3. Collaboration Challenges: As teams evolve and structures change, collaboration gaps may emerge. Fragmented communication can lead to misalignment, inefficiencies, and decreased productivity during the transformation journey. 
4. Decision-Making Inefficiencies: Complex transformations require agile decision-making. However, unidentified bottlenecks in the decision-making process can slow down progress and disrupt the transformation’s rhythm. 

Organizational Network Analysis in Practice  

The CEO of a leading produce distributor sought Clarkston’s help to address the imminent need to adjust their organization’s working models to meet employee needs in a more virtual work-from-home (WFH) environment. They were interested in maintaining a collaborative culture while uncovering opportunities for additional organizational processes and technology to scale over time as their business grows. Clarkston facilitated an Organizational Network Analysis diagnostic survey and analyzed results to defined outcomes, such as: 

• Identified bottlenecks across three departments tied to decision-making, which led to the addition of resources (people/technology) to priority teams. 
• Leveraged insights to support the identification of candidates for leadership development and high-performance team training. 
• Developed an understanding of who the critical knowledge brokers and change agents are within the organization who can support transformation. 

Below, we outline how Organizational Network Analysis can provide a powerful solution with associated benefits to tackle these people-related gaps during large-scale organizational transformation.

The Transformative Potential of ONA 

ONA is more than a tool for understanding your organization’s social fabric – it’s a strategic asset for effective organizational transformation. By addressing people-related gaps, optimizing collaboration, and making data-driven decisions, ONA empowers organizations to navigate transformational journeys with agility, resilience, and unwavering success. Embracing ONA’s transformative potential can be the catalyst that propels organizations into a brighter future, thriving amidst the complexities of change. 

Let us discover the power of ONA to help transform your business. Learn more about our Change Management Consulting Services today.