Key facts
Source for 70%: McKinsey & Company, “Common pitfalls in transformations” (opens in a new tab)
Definition
Operating Model Design Delivery Management Standard
OMDDMS® is the standard for operating model transformation. It provides organisations and professionals with a repeatable, scalable method, a common language, governance structures and production-ready artefacts for designing and delivering operating model change.
- Created
- 2022
- Current version
- 4.1.2
- Governed by
- OMDDMS Ltd
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Training
- CPD accredited
CPD accredited training
The CPD Standards Office · Provider 51019 · 2026–2028
Why it exists
The problem OMDDMS® was created to solve
Strategies can be sound. Where transformations fall short is in execution: the design and delivery of the operating model.
Most transformations fall short
McKinsey research (opens in a new tab) shows that 70% of transformation programmes fail to deliver their objectives. The root cause is not poor strategy, but how the operating model is designed and delivered.
No dedicated standard existed
Before OMDDMS®, programmes typically started from scratch each time, with no common language, repeatable method or governance designed for operating model change. Teams borrowed from architecture, project and change frameworks built for other purposes.
Built from practice
OMDDMS® was created in 2022 from decades of experience and delivery of both business and IT transformation across financial services, government, healthcare, nuclear and manufacturing, and from seeing the same failures repeat in every sector.
Foundational concept
What is an operating model?
An operating model defines how an organisation works to deliver its strategic objectives in a sustainable manner
What the organisation intends to achieve
Without a designed operating model, strategy remains a set of intentions with no structured way to deliver them. This is essentially the organisation's 'game plan'
How the organisation will operate to achieve it
Operating model transformation designs and delivers changes to how the organisation operates, to support strategy, improve efficiency, manage risk or respond to change.
An operating model brings together, amongst others
- Capabilities
- People
- Processes
- Information
- Technology
- Governance
- Obligations
- Decision rights
‘OMDDMS® is the Standard that governs how sustainable operating model transformation is done.
The Standard
What OMDDMS® provides
A method, a model of what an operating model contains, governance to run the change, and the tools to apply it.
A common language
A consistent vocabulary for operating model transformation, so everyone from the COO to the business analyst describes components and activities the same way.
The Content Model
31 components covering every dimension of an operating model, from strategy and capabilities to decision rights, governance, risk, legal considerations and organisation design.
Governance structures
The Operating Model Transformation Office (OMTO) and Operating Model Board (OMB), designed for operating model change and is distinct from a PMO.
Production-ready artefacts
Tools used in live transformation programmes, available with certification, so practitioners can apply the method straight away.
The OMDDM: a seven-phase method
At the heart of the Standard is the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method (OMDDM). Each phase has defined objectives, inputs, steps and outputs.
- Phase 1ScopeDefine the boundaries and objectives of the change.
- Phase 2DiscoverGather insights into the existing operating model.
- Phase 3AnalyseAssess the impacts of proposed changes.
- Phase 4DesignDesign the future state operating model.
- Phase 5TransitionPlan and execute the shift to the future state.
- Phase 6Monitor (Continuous)Track performance and identify adjustments.
- Phase 7Govern (Continuous) Provide governance across all phases.
Positioning
How OMDDMS® works with other frameworks
OMDDMS® is designed to work alongside existing frameworks, not replace them.
TOGAF®
TOGAF® focuses on enterprise architecture. OMDDMS® complements it with a dedicated method for designing, transitioning and governing the operating model that the architecture describes.
PRINCE2® and MSP
PRINCE2® and MSP govern how projects and programmes are managed. OMDDMS® works alongside them, adding the method for designing and delivering changes to the operating model itself.
Agile
Agile governs how delivery teams work. OMDDMS® provides the operating model design and governance that Agile delivery works within.
ITIL®
ITIL® focuses on IT service management. OMDDMS® works at the operating model level, treating IT as one dimension among many.
Reach
Who has trained in OMDDMS®
Practitioners trained from organisations including
- National and devolved government
- Local government
- Defence
- Global retail
- Motoring associations
- Management consultancy
Across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia
The Standard is applicable to all sectors, including financial services, central and local government, healthcare, defence, nuclear energy and manufacturing.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about OMDDMS®
Questions about the Standard, the method and certification. If your question is not here, contact OMDDMS Ltd.
01What does OMDDMS® stand for?
OMDDMS® stands for Operating Model Design Delivery Management Standard. It is the standard for operating model transformation, currently on version 4.1.2.
02What is OMDDMS®?
OMDDMS® is the standard that provides organisations and professionals with a repeatable, scalable method for designing and delivering operating model transformation. It defines a common language, governance structures, best practices, and production-ready artefacts for operating model change.
03Who created OMDDMS®?
OMDDMS® was co-created in 2022 by practitioners drawing on decades of business and IT transformation across financial services, government, healthcare, nuclear, and manufacturing. It is governed by OMDDMS Ltd.
04Why was OMDDMS® created?
OMDDMS® was created because there was no established standard for operating model transformation. McKinsey research (opens in a new tab) shows that 70% of transformation programmes fail to deliver their objectives. The root cause is not poor strategy; it is the failure to design and deliver the operating model effectively. OMDDMS® provides the repeatable method that was missing.
05What is an operating model?
An operating model defines how an organisation works: how its capabilities, people, processes, information, technology, governance structures, and decision rights come together to deliver its strategic objectives. Without a properly defined operating model, strategy remains abstract.
06What does OMDDMS® provide?
OMDDMS® provides a common language for operating model transformation; the OMDDM, a seven-phase Operating Model Design and Delivery Method with defined inputs, steps, and outputs; a Content Model with 31 components covering every dimension of an operating model; governance structures including the Operating Model Transformation Office and Operating Model Board; and production-ready artefacts for use in live transformation programmes.
07What is the OMDDM?
The OMDDM, the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method, is the seven-phase method at the heart of OMDDMS®. Its phases are Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern. Each phase has defined objectives, inputs, steps, and outputs.
08What is the difference between OMDDMS® and the OMDDM?
OMDDMS® is the overarching Standard. The OMDDM is the seven-phase method that sits within it. OMDDMS® encompasses the method, the Content Model, governance structures, principles, artefacts, and the certification framework.
09How does OMDDMS® differ from TOGAF®, PRINCE2®, or Agile?
OMDDMS® is designed specifically for operating model transformation and works alongside TOGAF®, PRINCE2®, and Agile. TOGAF® focuses on enterprise architecture, while PRINCE2® and Agile focus on how projects and programmes are delivered. OMDDMS® adds the method for designing and delivering the operating model itself, so organisations keep the frameworks they already use.
10Who is OMDDMS® suitable for?
OMDDMS® is suitable for any organisation or professional involved in operating model transformation. It is sector-agnostic and applicable across financial services, government, healthcare, defence, nuclear energy, and manufacturing. Professionals who benefit include COOs, CIOs, Enterprise Architects, Business Architects, Transformation Leaders, Programme Directors, Business Analysts, and HR Business Partners.
11How do I get OMDDMS® certified?
Certification is available at two levels, Foundation and Practitioner, through Accredited Training Organisations. Foundation has no prerequisites; Practitioner requires Foundation. Both levels can be taken together over four consecutive days, and each is examined and certified separately. Each level carries 20 CPD hours. See all courses or find an ATO.
12What version is OMDDMS® currently on?
OMDDMS® is currently on version 4.1.2. The Standard is reviewed annually using feedback from every course, and a new major version is published every three to five years.
13Who has trained in OMDDMS®?
Practitioners have trained from organisations including national and devolved government, local government, defence, global retail, motoring associations, and management consultancy, across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.
14Who is the accrediting body for OMDDMS®?
OMDDMS Ltd is the accrediting and governing body for the OMDDMS® Standard, its courses and exams, Accredited Training Organisations, and Accredited Instructors. Meet the Steering Group.
15How long does OMDDMS® certification last?
Certification is valid for the life of the major version it was awarded against, currently version 4. A new major version requires new certification; certified Practitioners can move to it through a bridging course.