About the standard
What is OMDDMS®?
Standard Definition
Operating Model Design Delivery Management Standard
OMDDMS® is a global, sector-agnostic standard and repeatable method for designing, delivering, and governing operating model transformation. It was created to address the root cause of the 70% transformation failure rate identified by McKinsey1, not flawed strategy, but the flawed execution of operating model design and delivery.
The standard provides a structured method, the Operating Model Design Delivery Method (OMDDM), with defined phases, artefacts, and governance mechanisms. At its core is the Content Model, which gives every component of an operating model a precise, agreed definition, eliminating the ambiguity that causes transformation programmes to stall.
Because OMDDMS® is sector-agnostic, it applies equally across financial services, banking, healthcare, central and local government, nuclear new build, manufacturing, retail, professional services, utilities, and beyond. It was also designed to integrate with the frameworks your organisation already uses including TOGAF®, PRINCE2®, SAFe®, ITIL®, COBIT®, and ISO 31000, rather than replace them.
1 McKinsey & Company, "Common pitfalls in transformations".
Designed to integrate
What the OMDDM (Operating Model Design Delivery Method or 'Method') integrates with
OMDDMS® was designed from the ground up to work alongside existing standards, frameworks, and methods, not replace them. If your organisation already uses TOGAF® for enterprise architecture, PRINCE2® or SAFe® for programme management, ITIL® for service management, COBIT® for governance, or ISO 31000 for risk management, OMDDMS® slots in without conflict. The table below shows how each OMDDM phase maps to the disciplines and frameworks your organisation may already use.
| Discipline | OMDDM Phase | Standards, methods, frameworks1,2,3 |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio / programme / project management | Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, Govern | ISO 21500:2021, ISO 21502:2020, Project Management Institute (PMI), Association for Project Management (APM), Agile Alliance (AA), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) |
| Business analysis | Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, Govern | ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148:2018, International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), British Computer Society (BCS) |
| Software engineering and testing | Design, Transition | ISO/IEC/IEEE 26514:2022, DevOps, GitOps, International Institute for Software Testing (IIST) |
| Service management | Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor | ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018, ITIL® (Version 5) |
| Risk management | Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, Govern | ISO 31000:2018, International Risk Management (IRM) |
| Enterprise architecture and domain architecture | Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, Govern | ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022, TOGAF®, BIZBOK® |
| Systems and software engineering | Design, Transition | ISO/IEC/IEEE 12207:2017 |
| Governance | Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Govern | ISO/IEC 38500:2024, ISO 37000:2021, COBIT® 2019 |
1 Sample list 2 All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are acknowledged 3 Other standards are available from standards organisations, industry groups, and commercial organisations
Audience
Who the Foundation course is for
The Foundation course is designed for professionals who direct, govern, or deliver business and IT change. Because OMDDMS® is sector-agnostic, it is equally relevant across private, public, and not-for-profit organisations of any size. No prior knowledge of business or IT change, or OMDDMS® is required.
Transformation Leaders
Directors and senior managers responsible for operating model change programmes
Management Consultants
Practitioners who design, assess, or advise on operating model transformation
Programme & Project Managers
Professionals who deliver complex change and need a structured operating model method
Business Architects
Those who design or govern organisational structure, capabilities, and decision rights
HR & People Leaders
Professionals accountable for organisation design and workforce change
Chief Operating Officers
Executives who need a common language and standard for operating model governance
Enterprise Architects
Practitioners working with TOGAF®, BIZBOK®, or domain architecture who want a complementary operating model method
Risk & Governance Professionals
Those working within ISO 31000, COBIT®, or organisational governance frameworks
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of OMDDMS® or experience of business and IT change is required. The Foundation is the entry point to the standard. A general familiarity with business or IT change programmes is helpful but is not a formal requirement. Foundation is a prerequisite for the Practitioner course.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
After completing the Foundation course and passing the online exam, candidates can immediately apply what they have learned. These are some of the capabilities you leave with.
Define an operating model precisely using the OMDDMS® standard definition and explain its fundamental elements
Apply the Content Model to structure operating model development and explain the relationship between Context and Structure concepts
Explain the OMDDM phases and how the method integrates with existing frameworks including PRINCE2®, SAFe®, MSP, TOGAF® and COBIT®
Establish the governance structures required for operating model transformation – the OMTO (Operating Model Transformation Office) and the OMB (Operating Model Board)
Develop well-structured operating model principles and explain when and how to apply them
Allocate decision rights using GDU (Govern, Deliver, Use) – the more relevant and pragmatic alternative – and RACI, and explain the difference and when to use each
Apply the four major components of organisation design and identify appropriate design structures for different contexts
Describe capability and service models and explain their relationship within an operating model
Curriculum
Learning objectives by module
The Foundation course covers 12 modules across two days. The complete learning objectives for every module are listed below. Click any module to expand it.
01Introduction to Operating Models
- Define an operating model
- Explain the history of the operating model concept
- Discuss the rise of the operating model in written work
- Describe the fundamental elements of an operating model
- List the benefits of defining and managing the operating model
- List the drivers, outcomes, and success criteria related to operating model transition
- Describe the reasons for having a defined and managed operating model
02Introduction to the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method
- Explain the difference between a methodology and a method
- List the benefits a method brings to operating model design
- List the four major components of a method
- Explain why we need a method to develop operating models
- List the steps necessary to develop an operating model
03Integrating the OMDDM
- Understand how each OMDDM phase integrates with industry frameworks
- Describe each phase of the OMDDM and its outcomes
- Understand the usage rules of the OMDDM
- Understand the integration factors
- Describe the typical activities to integrate the OMDDM
- Understand what makes a successful integration
04Introduction to the Content Model
- Describe the Content Model
- List the Level 1 and Level 2 Concepts of the Content Model
- Describe how the Content Model helps in the development of an operating model
- Explain the Context Concept and how it relates to the Structure Concept
05Strategy
- Explain what strategy is
- Describe where strategy is placed in the Content Model
- List organisational drivers that can result in operating model change
- Explain why operating model change might be required
- List at least 8 external drivers of strategic change
- List 2 techniques used to understand operating models and related change
- Explain what ESG is and its importance to operating model transformation
- Recognise the potential impact of SDGs on large-scale operating model transformation
06The Operating Model Transformation Practice
- Describe what the Operating Model Transformation Office (OMTO) and Operating Model Board (OMB) are
- Explain why the OMTO and OMB are necessary
- List the similarities and differences between the OMTO and the PMO
- Discuss the change characteristics that are specific to the OMTO and OMB
- Discuss why the OMTO and OMB are necessary in operating model transformation
- Discuss example OMTO and OMB structures
07Principles
- Describe what a principle is
- Explain the basic structure of a principle
- Explain the extended structure of a principle
- Explain how to develop principles
- Explain when a principle is used
08Legal Considerations
- Understand why operating model design should consider the legal implications of any change
- Identify the 10 main areas of legal consideration linked to operating model design and change
- Recognise that legal advice must be provided by legal professionals
Important: This module does not constitute legal advice. Candidates must consult qualified legal counsel for all matters relating to the law.
09Organisation Design
- Describe an organisation
- List the four major components of organisation design
- Explain why organisation design is important for understanding operating models
- Discuss the implications of not undertaking organisation design
- List at least 2 model approaches to organisation design
- List the generally accepted rules for designing organisations
- List at least 4 standard organisation design structures
10Decision Making
- Describe what decision-making is
- Explain the need for good decision making
- Describe the benefits of good decision making
- Describe the support for decision making
- Describe decision governance
- List the roles involved in a decision-making board
- Describe the expectations of a decision-making board
- List the implications of good and poor decision making
11Decision Rights
- Describe what a decision right is – what they are, why they are needed, who decides and allocates those rights
- Describe how to develop decision rights
- Explain GDU – the new, relevant, and pragmatic approach to decision rights – including the definition and its use
- Explain RACI – including definitions and use
- Describe why you might use GDU instead of RACI
12Capabilities and Services
- Describe what a capability is
- Explain what a capability model is
- Explain the causes of change to capability
- Describe what a service is
- List different types of service
- Outline the components of a service
- Discuss the characteristics of a capability
- List different types of capability
- Explain the relationship between capability and service
Applied Learning
Practical exercises
Theory is only part of the Foundation. Across both days, candidates complete six structured exercises using a real-world case study applying each concept immediately in context.
Day One
1
Articulate the OMDDMS® definition of an operating model and your understanding of its components
2
Demonstrate understanding of the Content Model and how it structures operating model development
3
Demonstrate understanding of how to set up and establish an Operating Model Transformation Office
Day Two
1
Demonstrate understanding of Principles – structure, development, and application
2
Demonstrate understanding of Legal Considerations in the context of the case study organisation
3
Demonstrate understanding of role definitions, role descriptions, and the roles required in the context of the case study
Certification
Exam and certification
Certification is awarded on passing an online exam. There is no paper-based assessment, the exam is taken online and results are instant.
Exam format
Online
Taken online at the end of the course. Instant results.
On passing
Digital badge and certificate
Candidates who pass the Foundation exam instantly receive a digital badge and certificate, awarded by OMDDMS Ltd, the governing body of the standard.
CPD hours
20 CPD Hours
CPD Standards Office – Provider 51019 – 2026–2028
Awarded by
OMDDMS Ltd
The governing body of the OMDDMS® standard, independent of the training organisation.
Certification Pathway
Where Foundation fits
Foundation is the entry point to OMDDMS® certification. Advance to Practitioner, or save £381 by combining both levels in the 4-day Combined programme.
You are here
Foundation
from £1,690 + VAT · 2 days
Best value – save £381
Foundation + Practitioner
£2,999 + VAT · 4 days
Become an instructor
Accredited Training Instructor Programme
POA
Delivery
Delivered by people who've done operating model transformation before
All OMDDMS® courses are delivered by OMDDMS® Accredited Training Instructors who have extensive knowledge of OMDDMS® and deep experience in understanding and delivering operating model transformation.
Accreditation & Governance
A standard you can rely on
OMDDMS® Accredited Training Organisation
Oliver Swift Ltd holds full ATO accreditation from OMDDMS Ltd, the governing body of the standard. One of only two globally accredited ATOs worldwide.
CPD Accredited – 20 Hours
The Foundation course is accredited at 20 CPD hours by the CPD Standards Office, Provider 51019, accreditation period 2026–2028.
Living Standard
OMDDMS® is updated based on real-world implementations. Version 4.1.2 reflects the latest thinking, not a framework frozen in 2015.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Foundation course, the standard, or the pathway. If your question is not here, book a call with the training team.
What is the OMDDMS® Foundation course?
The OMDDMS® Foundation course, formally titled Applied Operating Models: Design and Delivery Foundation, is a 2-day certified training programme teaching the fundamentals of operating model design and delivery using OMDDMS®. It covers 12 modules and candidates complete an online exam to receive a digital badge and certificate. It is CPD accredited at 20 hours by the CPD Standards Office (Provider 51019, 2026–2028).
How do I get certified in OMDDMS® Foundation?
Candidates complete the 2-day Foundation course and then sit an online exam. Candidates who pass instantly receive a digital badge and certificate awarded by OMDDMS Ltd, the governing body of the standard.
Do I need prior experience to attend?
No prior knowledge of OMDDMS® is required. The Foundation is the entry point to the standard. A general familiarity with business or IT change programmes is helpful but is not a formal prerequisite.
What is the difference between Foundation and Practitioner?
Foundation establishes conceptual and structural knowledge of OMDDMS® and what the standard is, how the method works, and how the Content Model structures operating model development. Practitioner teaches application of the full OMDDM phase by phase: Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern, including the full artefact set and OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment. Foundation is a prerequisite for Practitioner.
Is the course CPD accredited?
Yes. The OMDDMS® Foundation course is CPD accredited at 20 hours by the CPD Standards Office, Provider 51019, accreditation period 2026–2028.
How much does the Foundation course cost?
The public Foundation course is £1,690 + VAT. Significant savings are available through the Combined programme (Foundation + Practitioner) at £2,999 + VAT, saving £381 versus purchasing separately. Private company delivery is priced on application.
Can the course be delivered privately for my organisation?
Yes. Oliver Swift Ltd offers private company delivery of the Foundation course, available virtually, at your organisation's premises, or at an off-site venue. Contact us for group pricing and scheduling.
What frameworks does OMDDMS® integrate with?
OMDDMS® was designed to integrate with existing standards across multiple disciplines including ISO 21500/21502, PMI, APM and SAFe® for portfolio and project management; IIBA and BCS for business analysis; ITIL® for service management; ISO 31000 for risk management; TOGAF® and BIZBOK® for enterprise architecture; COBIT® 2019 and ISO/IEC 38500 for governance. Because OMDDMS® is sector-agnostic, it applies alongside any combination of these frameworks.
I use TOGAF®. Is OMDDMS® relevant to me?
Yes. TOGAF® is an enterprise architecture framework focused on the design and governance of architecture. OMDDMS® complements TOGAF® by providing the structured method for designing and delivering the operating model that your architecture describes. Where TOGAF® tells you what the architecture should be, OMDDMS® governs how the operating model is designed, transitioned, and governed in practice. The OMDDM integrates with TOGAF® and ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022 across the Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern phases.
I work with COBIT®. Does OMDDMS® work alongside it?
Yes. COBIT® 2019 is a governance framework for enterprise IT. OMDDMS® integrates with COBIT® at the Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, and Govern phases, providing the operating model design and delivery method that sits alongside COBIT's governance structures. Organisations using COBIT for IT governance will find OMDDMS® provides the missing method for operationalising governance decisions at the operating model level.
We use PRINCE2® or SAFe®. How does OMDDMS® fit?
OMDDMS® was designed to integrate with PRINCE2®, SAFe®, and other portfolio, programme, and project management methods. The OMDDM works across all phases – Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern – in parallel with programme and project delivery. PRINCE2 and SAFe govern how projects are delivered; OMDDMS® governs how the operating model being delivered by those projects is designed and managed. They are complementary, not competing.
Our organisation runs ITIL®. Will OMDDMS® conflict with it?
No. ITIL® governs IT service management. OMDDMS® integrates with ITIL® (Version 5) at the Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, and Monitor phases of the OMDDM, treating service management as one of the capability and service domains within the operating model. Organisations running ITIL® will find OMDDMS® provides the overarching operating model context in which ITIL® service management sits.
We use ISO 31000 for risk. Does OMDDMS® cover risk management?
Yes. OMDDMS® includes a dedicated Risk module at Practitioner level and integrates with ISO 31000:2018 across all OMDDM phases. Risk is also a component of the OMDDMS® Content Model, giving it a defined place within operating model design. Organisations using ISO 31000 or working with the International Risk Management (IRM) framework will find OMDDMS® provides the operating model context for risk governance and management.
Can OMDDMS® be used alongside ISO/IEC 38500 or ISO 37000?
Yes. ISO/IEC 38500:2024 governs IT governance and ISO 37000:2021 covers organisational governance. OMDDMS® integrates with both at the Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, and Govern phases, providing the operating model design and delivery method that sits within and supports the governance structures these ISO standards define.
