The property and construction industry has known AECOM for our expertise and skill in designing and engineering large scale built environment and infrastructure projects.
While designing and engineering remains the mainstay for AECOM, the company has recognized the need for developing expertise in Advisory services. In the current business environment, efficiency is key and the need to understand the business environment is a crucial part of being able to thrive.
Over the last few years our Middle East offices have focused on growing its Advisory practice with a slew of services including Asset, Project Monitoring, P3 Technical, Risk Management, Program, Procurement & Contracts and Industrial. Strategy+, the newest addition to our Advisory practice is expanding AECOM’s understanding of core business concepts and building expertise around areas such as Vision and Strategy Development, Target Operating Model Development, Business Transformation and Digital Transformation Services.
How does Strategy+ differentiate itself?
While Strategy+ offers traditional consulting services, it goes beyond what a traditional consulting services organization offers, hence the Plus in Strategy+. Traditionally, on a large infrastructure project, architects and engineers depended on several consultants to better understand operational requirements. This meant that architects and engineers had to constantly engage with multiple consultants. The operational complexity of such an arrangement made it time- consuming and inefficient to get the necessary inputs. Therefore, building specialist teams within AECOM who can embed themselves with the design team was necessary to ensure all strategic and operational concepts are embodied in the design. Strategy+ provides design teams with an understanding of how vision and strategy impact operations and how operations impact the space being designed. This is made possible using tools including numeric models and user journeys, which bring to life the operational environment and movements of people, equipment, material and vehicles that impact the space.
Vision to infrastructure
In a very short span of time, Strategy+ built a team of highly motivated young and experienced consultants capable of helping clients not only develop infrastructure that help achieve the vision and strategy, but also capable of developing strategies and operating models that help achieve long-term vision.
Partnership strategies
In the interconnected environment, we operate in strategic partnerships which can be a game- changer. We help our clients identify and form partnerships that align with their business goals. Our approach involves thoroughly analyzing potential partners, evaluating synergies and crafting win-win strategies that benefit all parties involved. Whether the objective is to expand market reach, access new technologies or leverage combined expertise, our partnership strategies are designed to create greater value than the sum of its parts.
Scenario planning
We understand that our clients operate in complex, uncertain and evolving environments and being prepared for multiple future possibilities is essential. Our scenario planning services help our clients anticipate and prepare for potential futures by analyzing trends, identifying key uncertainties, developing plausible future scenarios and understanding the impact this will have on organizations. Through this process we enable our clients to be agile and adaptable, turning potential challenges into opportunities and ensuring their businesses remains resilient.
Human resources planning
We understand the importance of aligning human resources with business objectives, and our workforce planning services focus on optimizing the workforce, enhancing productivity and fostering a culture of excellence. From talent acquisition strategies to training, development and succession planning, we ensure that our client’s teams are equipped, motivated and ready to drive their businesses forward.
Organization design and operating models are the bridge between strategy and day-to-day operations. They answer the question “What are we doing?” and pave the way for understanding how it will be done. We help our clients develop robust operating models that act as the foundation for execution, effectively translating strategic intent into operational capability.
Strategy+ is building expertise around areas such as Vision and Strategy Development, Target Operating Model Development, Business Transformation and Digital Transformation Services.
Current and target operating models
At AECOM, we utilize a nine-faceted operating model framework to provide structure around the interconnected and interdependent aspects of our client’s operations. We begin with a comprehensive analysis of the current operating model. Delving into the intricacies of their existing organizational design and culture, operational infrastructure as well as strategic management and governance to understand the core capabilities and areas for improvement. From this foundation, we develop a target operating model that encapsulates the future aspirations of our clients. This model is not just a blueprint of what the organization should look like but a roadmap detailing how to get there.
Hierarchy design
The structure of an organization is a critical factor in success. We bring a strategic perspective to hierarchy design, aligning it with business goals and culture. Our approach goes beyond traditional structures to embrace more agile, responsive designs that foster communication, collaboration, and effective decision-making. By optimising the hierarchy, we ensure that leadership is more connected with the workforce, decision paths are clearer, and there is a seamless flow of information across all levels.
Delivery model optimisation
We help our clients optimize and refine their delivery models to ensure they are operating at optimal efficiency. This involves streamlining processes, integrating technologies and adopting best practices to reduce costs, enhance quality and improve productivity. Our goal is to create a delivery model that not only meets the current demands of the market but is also scalable and adaptable for future growth and changes.
Transformation strategies
At the heart of our services is the development of robust transformation strategies. We believe that true transformation will only succeed with controlled and considered change management. We use approaches and techniques from Prosci Change Management. Not only do we help our clients understand their current and desired states, we help them develop bespoke, clear and actionable roadmaps, providing guidance and assurance throughout their transformation journey.
Stakeholder engagement & strategic communications
Successful transformation and sustained change are contingent on the support and engagement of stakeholders, whether they are the ones instigating the change or being impacted by it. We help clients understand the perspectives and intricacies of their stakeholders and develop targeted communication and engagement strategies. By ensuring clear, consistent and compelling messaging, we help build consensus, foster collaboration and drive collective action towards shared ambitions
Implementation planning
Strategy without execution is wishful thinking. Implementation planning is a critical component of our offering. We work closely with clients to translate strategic plans into actionable, measurable steps. This involves setting clear milestones, allocating resources and defining responsibilities. We deliver comprehensive implementation plans and offer guidance designed to ensure smooth, efficient and timely execution of transformation initiatives.
Leadership & culture facilitation
Culture is the consistent demonstration of certain behaviors over time. Leaders’ consistently model behaviors in their team to build culture, and consistency of behavior in many teams builds an organization-wide culture.
The leadership team is key to setting and modeling behaviors. Leaders’ behavior in and out of the spotlight will significantly impact an organization’s success.
Our leadership and culture facilitation services focus on enhancing leaders’ skills, qualities and capabilities. Through assessment, feedback, mentorship and coaching, leaders can clearly articulate and communicate their values and expectations, maintain open and transparent communication channels and integrate behavioral expectations into performance metrics and evaluations. They are able to adapt their leadership style to different situations and individuals.
Product management
Our product management services are designed to bridge the gap between technology and business strategy. We combine our deep industry knowledge with a sound understanding of our clients’ aspirations and specificities to ensure suitable technology solutions with a reach back into the breadth and depth of AECOM’s digital capability.
Digital adoption planning
We help businesses navigate the complexities of digital transformation. Partnering with the AECOM digital consulting team, our approach encompasses assessing current digital maturity, identifying suitable technologies and creating a tailored adoption roadmap. We focus on ensuring that solutions are seamlessly integrated into our clients’ operations, allowing them to fully capture the benefits of technology investment in enhancing efficiency, user experience and, ultimately, efficiency and effectiveness.
KPI & metric development
To steer a business toward success, you need the right metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Our team excels in developing relevant, actionable and measurable KPIs tailored to our client’s business objectives. We take a deep dive into their operations to understand what drives success and how it can be measured effectively. This approach not only provides clarity and focus but also enables continuous improvement.
BI & MI interpretation
Business Intelligence (BI) and Management Information (MI) are crucial for making informed decisions but the real challenge lies in interpreting this vast amount of data. We help our clients understand how they can use their data to answer business questions. Including what data they have, what to capture and how to analyze, visualize and action it to enable data-driven decision-making and a clear understanding of their business performance and market trends.