In that perverse type of functional organisation that has a functional business unit for each profession, there is a predictable progression for each function.

  1. The function cannot succeed until it is centralised
  2. The function cannot succeed until it has the sponsorship of the CEO
  3. The function cannot succeed until it has its own “Chief xxxx Officer”
  4. The function cannot succeed until everybody understands that the function is “everybody’s responsibility”
  5. The function cannot succeed until it has the resources to engage with “everybody”
  6. The function cannot succeed until there is a dedicated business unit that makes the function part of the business-as-usual process
  7. The function cannot succeed until it has input into the strategy of the organisation
  8. The function cannot succeed until it is part of the organisation’s culture
  9. The function cannot succeed until it reports to me