How to Successfully Execute a Go-Live in Process Improvement

Today, we shine the spotlight on the most anticipated part of the PDCA process: the “Go-Live.” If you’ve been following our journey, you’re already familiar with steps one through six (as shown in the image below). Now, we bridge the gap between steps six and seven, where the magic of executing a go-live happens.

If you haven’t followed our other blog series on the PDCA process, I highly suggest reading them first. Here are links to the other blogs on the PDCA process steps:

What a Go-Live Is and Why It Matters

A go-live is like a declaration that from a specific date onwards, things will be done the new way, not the old way. It’s a fundamental shift in how we operate. Without a clear go-live date, confusion reigns, and you’ll hear team members questioning the changes or claiming ignorance about the new processes.

To grasp the significance of a go-live, imagine if your smartphone received updates every time it encountered a bug. You’d be bombarded with constant changes, making it nearly impossible to enjoy your device. This is akin to what we often subject our teams to with incessant process modifications.

I’d like to highlight some of the companies I’ve had the privilege to work with – True Uniform, Market Ingenuity, and Mosaic. These are real organizations that have significantly improved their operations by implementing go-live strategies. With each go-live event, they’ve undergone transformative changes in their business processes.

Let’s take the example of Mosaic Way. They started with Version 1, where they made substantial alterations, affecting around 30% of their operations. This involved implementing a range of countermeasures, typically numbering between 40 and 50. As time went on, they progressed to Mosaic Way Version 2 and then Version 3. Just like how our smartphones receive regular updates, each new version marked a fresh approach to doing business for them.

How to Successfully Implement a Go-Live

The tactical aspect of this is that you need a clear, definitive date. A date that signifies the shift from the old way of doing things to the new way.

How do you effectively communicate this pivotal moment of change within your organization? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, as the best strategy depends on your unique company culture and communication channels.

Common Ways to Announce a Go-Live:

A company-wide email from the president or CEO.
Integration into existing newsletters or standard emails.
Utilizing internal chat platforms like Slack.
Integration into all-hands huddles or team meetings.

There’s no real wrong way to do a go-live except for minimizing how important all these changes are that the team has been working on.

Crafting the Message:

The mistake I see companies commit in this step is making it all about solving problems. When we begin a conversation talking about not doing well, it can be demoralizing.

When crafting your go-live message, prioritize positivity. Remind your team of the ideal state you’re working toward—a future where the company thrives, employees take pride in their work, and the brand promise is fulfilled. Emphasize that the changes are steps toward this ideal state, not just reactions to problems.

The Role of Leadership:

Leadership plays a pivotal role during the go-live phase. It’s an opportunity to showcase the importance of the changes, discuss the future, and commend the team’s hard work. Avoid dwelling on problems; instead, rally the team toward a brighter future. That is how you get people to move with you.

The Most Exciting Time

A Go-Live is a pivotal moment of positive change. This is your time to shine and announce that the new way is “Live”—your company way, your unique way of doing business. Embrace it as a declaration of progress, a step closer to your ideal state, and an opportunity to unite your team behind a common vision.

Stay tuned for our next blogs, where we’ll explore steps seven and eight of the PDCA process.

In your service,

Hilary Corna