Ensure the whole organisation is geared up to useAI

How to fit AI into an existing corporate set up

Artificial Intelligence or AI is the ´Flavour of the month´ but it is much more serious than that. Political, Economic and Technological benefits and the resulting end game of massive financial rewards are up for grabs.

Companies and other organisations are jumping on the bandwagon.  Often with little or no top – level preparation. This is of course because AI is a phenomenon, a new phenomenon.

There are considerable activities required before the optimum AI implementation for Corporate CEO´s and Senior Managers.

AI impinges on the total system of business and it´s workings

All companies and organisations, including governments operate in a system. It is dynamic and iterative i.e. it is a continuous circular process and can adapt to and change if the CEO´s, The Board and Senior Managers grasp the dynamic. Ideally it requires a conducive organisation structure. Ideally organic i.e. one with few decision-making levels, quick and easy communications mechanisms

1 THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Economic

Legal

Governmental

Technological

Social

Market Segments

Competition

Geographical

An analysis is required to review and possibly reposition the company to adjust to the new and evolving AI paradigm.

2 Corporate Objectives and Mission in the light of the Operating Environment.

Financial Goals

Market, Products, Services Positioning and Target Markets and Marketing Strategy

Operational Effectiveness

Operational Efficiency

Customer Focus

Organisational Development and Employee Development

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

Growth and Expansion. Vertical, Horizontal, Conglomeration 

3 Corporate Strategies

Aligned to the Corporate Objectives

Market Penetration / Growth Strategy

Product/ Services Development Strategies

Market Development Strategy

Diversification Strategy

Customer Centric Strategy

Digital Transformation and e – Commerce

Partnerships and Alliances

Pricing and Revenue optimization

Sustainability and Integration

Risk Management

4 Corporate Structure

Optimising to deliver the Strategies and have a Management Process

Analysis

Review

Planning

Decision Making

Implementation

Control – Compare Corporate Objectives and Strategies Plans to the Results and take

                                    corrective action as required

Establish an Integrated Management Information System

Analysis of the Corporate Functional Structure Areas

Analysis of the Levels and Horizonal Relationships

Communication Channels – Formal and Informal

Reporting Structures – Directors, Executive Leadership, Key Divisions / Business Units, Marketing and Product

Operations and Supply Chain

Finance

Human Resources

Technology

IT

Customer Service

Support Functions

Sustainability and Environmental and Social Governance Initiatives

Common Structure 

An aspiration and often a requirement to gain the top rewards lie with Management of the Change process from the current situation to the new AI environment.

A Management of the Change process for using AI

Phase 1: Assessment & Change Diagnosis

Objectives:

• Understand the business context and drivers for change
• Assess organizational readiness and identify key risks

Key Activities:

• Conduct stakeholder interviews and workshops
• Perform current state analysis (SWOT, PESTEL, Gap Analysis)
• Run a change readiness assessment survey

Deliverables:

• Change Readiness Report
• Risk Assessment & Change Drivers Summary

Phase 2: Visioning & Strategy Development

Objectives:

• Align leadership around a compelling vision for change
• Define measurable outcomes and change success criteria

Key Activities:

• Facilitate strategy workshops with leadership
• Co-create a change vision and guiding principles
• Define success metrics and KPIs

Deliverables:

• Change Strategy Document
• Vision Statement & Guiding Principles

Phase 3: Stakeholder & Impact Analysis

Objectives:

• Identify impacted groups and individuals
• Understand change implications by department and role

Key Activities:

• Map stakeholders by influence and interest
• Conduct impact assessment (people, process, systems)
• Identify resistance areas and mitigation plans

Deliverables:

• Stakeholder Map
• Impact Assessment Matrix
• Change Risk Register

Phase 4: Change Planning & Roadmap

Objectives:

• Develop a detailed, time-phased change implementation plan

Key Activities:

• Create a change roadmap aligned with business milestones
• Integrate with program/project management teams
• Define change governance and reporting structure

Deliverables:

• Change Roadmap
• MoC Governance Plan
• RACI Chart

Phase 5: Communication & Engagement

Objectives:

• Build awareness, alignment, and support for change

Key Activities:

• Develop a segmented communication strategy
• Build messaging tailored to audiences
• Deliver via town halls, email campaigns, intranet, etc.

Deliverables:

• Communications Plan
• Messaging Toolkit
• Engagement Calendar

Phase 6: Training & Enablement

Objectives:

• Equip staff with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the new environment

Key Activities:

• Conduct training needs assessment
• Design and deliver training content
• Support knowledge transfer and job aids

Deliverables:

• Training Curriculum
• Training Schedule
• Knowledge Transfer Plan

Phase 7: Implementation Support

Objectives:

• Guide and support change rollout, resolving issues in real time

Key Activities:

• Deploy change agents and coaches
• Track and report adoption metrics
• Adjust tactics based on feedback

Deliverables:

• Change Adoption Dashboard
• Weekly/Monthly Progress Reports
• Resistance Management Log

Phase 8: Sustainment & Handover

Objectives:

• Ensure the change is embedded and self-sustaining post-implementation

Key Activities:

• Conduct post-implementation reviews
• Transition ownership to business leaders
• Monitor long-term outcomes

+Deliverables:

• Sustainability Plan
• Lessons Learned Report
• Final MoC Handover Document

Development of the Supporting Tools & Templates to be used

• Stakeholder Analysis Template
• Change Impact Assessment Log
• Communications Planning Template
• Training Tracker
• Readiness & Sentiment Survey
• Management of Change Status Dashboard