Reflection assignment – Storytelling

Challenge

One of our clients wants to perform an upgrade for their IT systems. This system culminates both IT  and Business-related topics and as such impacts the business processes when updated. Within the  company, there was a severe disconnect between the business and IT side. There is no communication,  needs and wants are not expressed properly, and everyone works within their own silo. For a successful  upgrade plan, there is a severe need for alignment, communication, and cooperation between  Business and IT and within them as well. The business side has many time-consuming projects planned  in the next few years. The IT side will require resources of business to successfully upgrade and  implement. Our biggest hurdle is convincing all sides of the company that they are part of the same  team and share the same mission. This may not seem like it fits in innovation, but the IT system is  what’s called a PLM system chich also aids and improves the processes set in place for innovation and  development of new ideas.

Selection

The obvious tool for this is of course storytelling. We must create a common ground between all facets  of the company and thus by including them in the same story we hoped to connect them and facilitate  collaboration. Storytelling allows the stakeholders to express their concerns and discuss where and  most importantly when the upgrade can take place. By creating this cultivated upgrade goal, we hoped  to forego all immediate rejection and move toward possible options/

Application

To create the right story, we first had to gather information on the clients and their current projects.  We found out, as said above, that the business side has little time in the upcoming years. They blatantly  rejected any resource requests that we made at the start. This meant we had to dig deeper and by  including IT stakeholders we managed to explain the necessity of the upgrade. Planting the seed of  necessity in the business, they let us into their projects and more importantly it informed us of current  issues they had. Together with business we transformed the story to make sure that it wasn’t “just” an  upgrade but along the way we could alleviate their concerns and even make some quick wins. The  story grew from a simple upgrade to a company wide involved project where every part has their say,  and their responsibilities.

Insight

The easiest way to summarize the insight we gained is: “When people feel they are part of something,  they will push their own limits to make sure it will be successful”. While a story is a very strong and  important connector between people, there will always be different angle from which they view the  story. Involving people in the story brings them closer together and grants them an inside view of the  other and of the whole. It was only at the point we actively involved and made people from business  responsible that they not only helped but actively looked for better solutions.

Approach

Now the first stages are complete, the story will have to be adapted to the transforming reality. This is  the most dynamic of the tools and will aim to keep including those people necessary for the success of  the project. Key to this will be the feeling of shared responsibility and that will only be possible when  people not only are, but also believe that they are part of the same team.

