Integration is a complicated problem that many organizations are trying to solve, but they do not have the right tools or the know-how when it comes to evaluating their need for integration. Sometime there are simple solutions to complex problems.
A World of Charts
Integration in its simplest definition makes us focus on connectedness. How our systems connect; how our people connect; and how we network connections to do business. However, its complexity makes it difficult for us to evaluate how well we’re doing, or rather, how integrated we really are and how well we’re evolving with the capabilities we’ve built.
When it comes to complex problems like integration strategy, consultants love showing us a situational analysis of where a client is today and where they could be going with a strategic shift. Essentially, they only have a complicated chart that summarizes the world at this moment.
SWOT Integration
So, let’s think about a SWOT analysis for integration. We can plot out an organization’s integration—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats—and probably write in a few bullets in each of the four quadrants. With something in every box, it’s easy to feel the burden of integration. Is change necessary? Should we leave everything on autopilot? The answer is unique to every organization, but chances are that integration is a burden that can shift from a weakness to a strength in any operation. And it can even prove to be more powerful—well-integrated platforms have the opportunity to build on their strengths and agility with the right support.
In this spirit of focus, we’ve put together a model for you to evaluate the potential for improved integration in your organization. Check out the Integration Maturity Model and take the first step toward solving your integration challenges.
