Target Operating Model redesign for a FTSE 100 housebuilder
When a leading British housebuilder faced inconsistent technology practices and a lack of strategic alignment, Definia helped define its ‘North Star’, delivering a full Target Operating Model (TOM) redesign to align strategy, structure and delivery.
Including design principles and a reference operating model.
Met with senior leaders to understand their goals and document their guiding principles.
The roadmap identified key priority areas: demand management and the project management lifecycle.
Define
A FTSE 100 British housebuilding organisation was undergoing a period of significant change within its technology function. The client was seeking to adopt new ways of working internally and in how the technology team engaged with the wider business.
The main challenge was a lack of consistency — in team operations, business engagement and clarity of purpose. The client recognised the need for a clearly defined ‘North Star’ and supporting frameworks to drive alignment and delivery.
To address this, Definia was engaged to help the client:
- Develop a roadmap to deliver the desired future state.
- Define a Target Operating Model (TOM) for IT.
- Reshape its organisational design.
- Create an engagement model.
Design
To meet the client’s needs, Definia deployed its TOM Redesign solution.
We partnered closely with senior leaders within the technology function to understand their goals and challenges, as well as how they could optimise their engagement with the wider business.
This understanding allowed us to articulate and document the client’s ‘North Star’ — a set of guiding principles which would be critical for shaping a new, strategic operating model.
Deliver
Through this partnership, Definia delivered tangible results that addressed the organisation’s most pressing challenges and long-term needs. Key achievements included:
- An IT Target Operating Model with design principles and a reference operating model.
- An Organisation Design and Engagement Model that addressed capability development and structured IT-business interaction.
- A roadmap for implementation, including delivery timelines, key milestones, dependencies and a risk mitigation plan.
The roadmap also identified two priority areas: demand management and the project management lifecycle. Following successful delivery of the TOM redesign, Definia was retained to:
- Design a new project management lifecycle.
- Develop a Business Analysis framework to ensure three are clearly defined responsibilities and consistent ways of working across all programmes and projects. This will be used alongside the project management lifecycle.
By applying Definia’s proven methodology, TOM expertise and structured approach, the client established a clear strategic direction and delivery model, enabling it to lead technology change with consistency and purpose.
Will Jones
Director, Definia
“Our Target Operating Model redesign solution combined strategic clarity with structured delivery, giving the client the tools and frameworks needed to align its technology function and drive sustainable change.”
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