Can One Solution Fit All? A Study in Strategic Scaling
When rolling out transformation initiatives across diverse product ranges, one key question arises: how far can a solution travel without losing its relevance or value? That was the question at the heart of this fast-paced framing mission.
I was brought in to assess whether a set of solution bricks already designed could be applied to another product line with radically different operational constraints.
The Challenge
Although several transformation bricks had been already designed (modular solutions designed to improve process flow, data reliability, and governance), there was uncertainty about their scalability.
The product line had:
- A distinct operational setup
- Specific compliance and interface rules
- A team unsure whether the previous solutions could apply—or if they would create unnecessary burden
The leadership needed clarity to make a confident go/no-go decision on extending the solution bricks to this new context.
Our Approach
We structured the assessment in two tightly scoped phases:
Phase 1: Understand & Diagnose
- Led a Kick-Off Meeting with executive and operational stakeholders
- Conducted working sessions to collect 28 pain points across the value chain
- Consolidated pain points into 11 categories for easier synthesis
- Used a criticality vs. applicability matrix to evaluate whether each brick could resolve the issues identified and to what extent.
- Identified out-of-scope pain points that required separate mitigation actions
Phase 2: Analyze Applicability & Prepare Decision
- Shared detailed overviews of 4 key bricks
- Facilitated multiple brick-specific workshops with operational teams
- Captured feedback on:
- Relevance
- Feasibility
- Adaptation needs
- Performed in-depth review of the brick I was personally responsible for (Production Management)
- Aligned with leadership on recommended deployment approaches
- Designed and validated the decision board pack to guide final executive choices
What We Delivered
✅ Full Pain Point Mapping and Categorization
- 28 points → 11 categories, each assessed with regard to scope and relevance
✅ Solution-Brick Assessment Matrix
- Mapped bricks to pain points with operational input
- Identified brick adaptations required for specific government program constraints
✅ Decision-Ready Materials
- Clear recommendations for each brick
- Brick-by-brick assessment slides
- Deployment decision board pre-filled and validated
- Planning roadmap for assessment follow-up and Steering committee finalization
The Impact
Even though the project timeline extended beyond my mission (due to bandwidth issues and operational load on the client side), the framing work:
- Provided a shared baseline for decision-making
- Turned abstract reuse questions into concrete, operational discussions
- Created a repeatable structure to evaluate transformation solution portability across product lines
The effort was also a culture-building moment. The process enabled open collaboration between functions that previously hadn’t worked together on this scope.
Reflections
This was one of the most satisfying missions I’ve led—precisely because the team dynamics were so constructive.
“Sometimes what slows you down is not complexity, it’s availability. But alignment and clarity make all the difference.”
Although I didn’t stay to see the final Steering committee, I left behind a fully validated framework that would enable the leadership to make smart, data-informed decisions.
And personally, it was a real pleasure to work with the team—rigorous, engaged, and respectful of process and input. When collaboration works, it really works.
Meta Description
How a structured, collaborative study helped a governmental aerospace team assess whether existing transformation bricks could be scaled across programs—enabling confident, data-driven decisions.