Simplicity is a principle

While your clients may ask for optionality, providing less choice is often a key to a simpler operating model, which allows for a smoother delivery. Taking an inside-out perspective, simplifying internal processes and structures will have positive impacts on the entire value creation capability of a company. There are plenty of examples that underpin these observations and we clearly see how the simplification principle has transformed entire sectors and reshaped the competitive landscape. We firmly believe that simplification should be applied as a guiding principle and be leveraged as a criterion for business decisions. Simplification allows us to challenge each process and approach to identify which is the most efficient and best suited for its particular purpose.

Applying the three levers: rationalisation, standardisation, modularisation

Based on our research and experience in advising clients in solving complex business problems, we identified three levers towards simplification. These should be applied in the appropriate order to achieve the most effective results.

Succeeding with simplification

We have developed an approach to identify and address the simplification potential in a four-step approach:

• Blueprint: Blueprinting the root cause of complexity
• Identify: Identification and priorisation of simplification opportunities
• Resolve: Decreasing or resolving complexity
• Optimise: Optimising simplification benefits for the long run