29th Annual Conference. The Productivity Challenge for Transformational Change Programmes

Transformational change programmes may have a variety of objectives, but how many are treated as a major project?

Often the key objectives may not be properly defined, but the intentions might include the achievement of significant cost reductions, re-deployment of staff, new processes and perhaps new business models. Secondary objectives might include a refreshment of staff resources, new offices or even locations, new IT programmes and increased effectiveness.

Whilst many change programmes are initiated at the very top of organisations, the role of leading the change can be delegated. Is this appropriate and who should be the champion for change? Are change programmes driven by bad results, or worsening profits or budget? Are there positive reasons to begin such changes during good times?

Because of the fundamental need for change, do transformations succeed despite lack of rigorous definition, planning and execution? In other words is project management essential for success?

The 2011 Annual Conference on 21st and 22nd September will hear from an Executive Board member of the BBC who is leading their transformation in terms of staff changes, relocation to Salford, new offices in London and different working arrangements; all reflecting the dynamic ways of working in the media industry.

The newly formed Major Projects Authority reports directly into the Cabinet Office and is charged with dramatically improving how Government delivers its projects. We shall learn how this is to be achieved.

We shall compare approaches and lessons from the private and public sectors – firstly from IBM and one of their clients implementing a significant IT programme and change – and then from Royal Mail who have to achieve new levels of efficiency to survive in an increasingly competitive world.

As usual with our Conferences, we shall devote time to group working and networking, taking the lead from the joint ICE/IUK study which identified how the UK should reduce its outturn costs for infrastructure by 30%. Many of these approaches are generic and applicable across all sectors of the membership.

The 2011 Annual Conference will be essential for leaders of our businesses and organisations, to learn best practice, compare lessons and meet and learn from a number of transformational change programme leaders who are charged with delivering these challenges now.