results-driven
leadership
Increase the speed, confidence, and effectiveness of your technology with guidance that delivers beyond just on time and on budget.
Our Point of View
Unlocking successful digital modernization (DM) requires a strategic approach that integrates three critical elements: Leadership, Governance, and Accountability. Together, these components form the foundation of what we term "Results-driven Leadership." If these attributes are not present in the modernization process, either as a key employee or engaged outside the organization, the project will struggle to achieve success. These elements help ensure that the organization is
focused on improved outcomes, preparing people, and holding all players accountable.
Leadership
Effective DM leaders are more than managers; they are catalysts for cross-functional change. DM leaders cultivate a culture of innovation, promote risk-taking, and articulate the significance of the modernization journey to all stakeholders. Without this leadership, projects easily veer off course, accumulating costly mistakes and delays.
Governance
Governance provides the essential structure and oversight to align digital initiatives with broader business strategies. Governance demands a profound understanding of emerging technologies and evolving best practices beyond a one-size-fits-all project management approach. It facilitates decision-making and ensures roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, adequately funded, and filled with proven resources. Inadequate governance leads to increased costs, wasted time, and a less successful modernization.
Accountability
Accountability is the linchpin holding the entire process together. From leadership to frontline employees, software vendors to consultants, every stakeholder must be accountable for their role in the modernization journey. Structured processes and proven methodologies are imperative, as they enable disciplined and coordinated execution. Without accountability, execution becomes disjointed, undisciplined, and the likelihood of achieving the desired goal diminishes.
Many organizations have dimensions of these important capabilities. Seldom do they possess them all at the required levels.
Our approach fills this gap and integrates these three disciplines to provide a strategic framework to guide you to success.
Overcoming the 4 Obstacles to Digital Modernization Success
Discover the key to successful digital modernization. Learn when to initiate transformation, its significance, how to set achievable goals, and navigate challenges with effective strategies to ensure a smooth transition for your organization.
What makes digital modernization so complex?
Digital modernization is a multifaceted process that combines technical, organizational, and strategic challenges among several internal and external players. Each player serves a different role with specific responsibilities, success metrics, and value added to the process. Understanding the roles and responsibilities, funding each role appropriately, and filling the roles with proven resources that are aligned and accountable are crucial to success.
Here is how we see those roles typically break down.
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What is the Transformation Leader of the Year award?The Transformation Leader of the Year Award is MSS Business Transformation Advisory’s (MSSBTA) way to recognize Arizona leaders and teams who are driving successful transformation initiatives. The award gives them a platform to promote their organizations and be recognized as innovators and change-makers.
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When are the Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open?Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open in January and continue through the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation nomination period, usually around mid-July.
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MSSBTA strongly encourages nominations from qualified organizations that include but not limited to:Emerging or Hyper-growth companies – $5M to $49M in revenue Mid-market companies – $50M to $999M in revenue Enterprise companies – over $1B in revenue Public Sector agencies – municipal, county, and state agencies Non-profit organizations – of any size Higher Education – public or private institutions K-12 Education – public or private institutions
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How are the Transformation Leaders recognized?Transformation Leader nominees are recognized a few ways: Through quarterly virtual panels with fellow nominees and local business leaders. Through transformation story videos shared on social media. Nominees are recognized, and the winner announced at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation gala event. This is a high-profile event sponsored by Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Commerce Authority, and Avnet.
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What does the judging committee look for in a nomination?Without giving too much away, the committee is always impressed by measurable metrics and quantifiable results. Specifics are important. Examples of how your leader successfully guided the company/agency/department/district through a major transformation or change in how it operates are expected. Organization size doesn’t matter, the success story does.
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Who can submit a nomination?Just about anyone can submit a nomination. This is your opportunity to recognize people from within your department, agency, company, etc. Don’t be shy, put your own hat in the ring if you want to share how you successfully navigated your company through major business or digital transformation in the previous year.
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Is it for Arizona-based organizations only?Yes, the Transformation Leader of the Year award is open to organizations throughout the state of Arizona, and there is no cost to participate.
How We Help
We provide the guidance to increase the speed, confidence, and effectiveness of technology deployment.
MSSBTA defines clear objectives, identifies potential risks, selects the best partners, and coordinates all the key roles to ensure your digital modernization project is successful.
Key Capabilities:
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Independent third-party oversight and accountability
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Project Management
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Needs Assessment
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Planning and Resource Allocation
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Vendor selection, negotiation, and management
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Business case or Project Investment Justification (PIJ) development
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Business requirements gathering and creation of a Request for Proposal (RFP)
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User Acceptance Testing (UAT) plan creation and test execution
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Legacy data cleanup and migration support
We build the proper strategic foundation, oversee work, manage vendors, engage stakeholders, facilitate decision-making, and manage risks.
Our Work
Case Studies
Our Clients
Featured Consultants
Susan Hayer, Ph.D.
Susan Hayer leads Digital Modernization and Organizational Change Management, guiding transformative change with her expertise. With precision, she orchestrates Agile teams and revitalizes Project Management Offices (PMOs) across industries, implementing lean-agile practices for streamlined operations.
Susan fosters inclusive change management, engaging all levels. Proficient in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), she excels in strategic planning and stakeholder management, driving consensus. Her dynamic leadership in Governance and Accountability initiatives fuels organizational improvements, defining success with clarity.
David Lyons
David Lyons, a seasoned Senior Consulting Manager boasts 30+ years of expertise from elite Management Consulting and Fortune Global 500 firms. He's a proven leader in Program Management, Product Management, and Development Delivery throughout the software development lifecycle.
A strong communicator across business and technical realms, David holds certifications as a SAFe® 5 Agilist and Six Sigma Green Belt. His functional and solution expertise spans Project and Program Management, Change Management, Financial Planning & Management, Organizational Planning, Staff Management & Development, Agile Transformation, Vendor Management, and Strategic Planning.
Susan's Publications
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What is the Transformation Leader of the Year award?The Transformation Leader of the Year Award is MSS Business Transformation Advisory’s (MSSBTA) way to recognize Arizona leaders and teams who are driving successful transformation initiatives. The award gives them a platform to promote their organizations and be recognized as innovators and change-makers.
-
When are the Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open?Transformation Leader of the Year award nominations open in January and continue through the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation nomination period, usually around mid-July.
-
MSSBTA strongly encourages nominations from qualified organizations that include but not limited to:Emerging or Hyper-growth companies – $5M to $49M in revenue Mid-market companies – $50M to $999M in revenue Enterprise companies – over $1B in revenue Public Sector agencies – municipal, county, and state agencies Non-profit organizations – of any size Higher Education – public or private institutions K-12 Education – public or private institutions
-
How are the Transformation Leaders recognized?Transformation Leader nominees are recognized a few ways: Through quarterly virtual panels with fellow nominees and local business leaders. Through transformation story videos shared on social media. Nominees are recognized, and the winner announced at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation gala event. This is a high-profile event sponsored by Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Commerce Authority, and Avnet.
-
What does the judging committee look for in a nomination?Without giving too much away, the committee is always impressed by measurable metrics and quantifiable results. Specifics are important. Examples of how your leader successfully guided the company/agency/department/district through a major transformation or change in how it operates are expected. Organization size doesn’t matter, the success story does.
-
Who can submit a nomination?Just about anyone can submit a nomination. This is your opportunity to recognize people from within your department, agency, company, etc. Don’t be shy, put your own hat in the ring if you want to share how you successfully navigated your company through major business or digital transformation in the previous year.
-
Is it for Arizona-based organizations only?Yes, the Transformation Leader of the Year award is open to organizations throughout the state of Arizona, and there is no cost to participate.
