The concept of “capability” has long been used in strategic analysis to establish defensible leadership. What are the capabilities that leading service providers and customers are establishing? How do you assess the difference between hype and substance? The bar of acceptable performance has always risen over time. Right now, the rate of change seems to…
Outsource agreements typically have long durations and high switching costs. Some fail; some drive innovation and soar; most get by. What is the role of trust in such a service and what can you do to obtain the best value? Volkswagen is being pilloried world-wide for deliberately deceiving customers and the public in diesel engine…
In this article, we look at common failings on the part of suppliers and steps which they can take to avoid them.
Common failings on the part of customers in IT project delivery and steps which they can take to avoid them.
Service Integration and Management (SIAM), and the closely-related multi-sourcing, are all the rage. What is the essence of integration, what do you get from it and how do you make it work? I am suspicious of fashion, as anyone who has seen my wardrobe will attest. That there is a new management fad promotes interest…
There are many models by which a service may be priced and a deal constructed. Whatever the approach used, there are considerations that both of the parties should weigh before they agree. What is likely to be going on and how can you obtain the best outcome? During the process of engagement between customer and…
Success in delivering change is dependent upon the ability of project managers and others to wield influence, build support and overcome resistance. Services, projects and companies are social entities supported by human endeavour. Personal agendas and relationships shape their functions. Project managers can engage to advantage, or ignore social influence at their peril. A new…
Weaknesses revealed by incidents of contract management of G4S and Serco have shocked the UK government. At a time that both public and private sectors depend ever more heavily on their service suppliers, what are the lessons to be drawn? In July 2013 serious malpractice was exposed in contracts for the electronic tagging of prisoners…
The quality of the approach taken has a strong influence on the success of any endeavour. Whilst some deliver with élan, others fail pitifully. The injection of constructive competition can stimulate energy and challenge participants to raise their game. The approach to a project or service captures the essence of the way in which the…
Summer 2014 has seen the spectacular failure of a number of services. Some important lessons have been drawn from these. What are they and how should they affect services and the way they are run? We all make mistakes. One of the key differentiators for service suppliers is the way that they recover from them.…
