Operating model checklist

GBS operating model design checklist

A practical checklist for moving from transformation ambition to a decision-ready operating model pack.

Transformation leader, CFO team, GBS leader, PMO
Key takeaway

A strong operating model design should connect objective, process scope, current state, gaps, maturity, location, workforce, sourcing, governance, KPIs, and roadmap.

Foundation

  • Confirm the business objective and leadership ambition.
  • Define finance and procurement towers in scope.
  • Baseline countries, volumes, FTE, systems, cycle times, exceptions, controls, and reporting.
  • Agree the current-state pain points and maturity baseline.

Design decisions

  • Define retained accountability and global process ownership.
  • Select delivery model: GBS, GCC, shared services, outsourcing, BOT, or hybrid.
  • Assess location fit using talent, cost, risk, language, time zone, leadership depth, and scale.
  • Design sourcing route, governance forums, approval matrix, KPI library, and reporting cadence.

Implementation readiness

  • Plan workforce movement, redeployment, reskilling, rebadging, hiring, and transition dependencies.
  • Define KT, business readiness, service readiness, cutover, and hypercare.
  • Identify S2P Human / AI / Agent use cases with control requirements.
  • Create 90-day and 180-day roadmaps.