Programme Blueprint

The Blueprint defines the target end state that a programme will deliver - the future operating model, capabilities, processes, and organisation that will enable benefits realisation.

What is a Blueprint?

Definition: A Blueprint is a model of the organisation, its working practices, processes, information, and technology that will be needed to deliver the programme's vision and outcomes.

The Blueprint answers: “What will the organisation look like when the programme is complete?”

Current State Blueprint (Target State)
How we work today How we will work tomorrow
Existing processes Redesigned processes
Current capabilities Enhanced capabilities
Legacy systems New/upgraded systems
Existing structure Transformed structure

Purpose of the Blueprint

The Blueprint serves multiple purposes:

Purpose Benefit
Vision Clear picture of the end state
Scope Define what’s in/out of programme
Planning Basis for project definition
Communication Stakeholder alignment
Benefits Link to benefits realisation
Change Guide for transition planning
Governance Baseline for change control

Blueprint Components

The POPIT Model

flowchart TD A[People] --> E[Blueprint] B[Organisation] --> E C[Processes] --> E D[Information] --> E F[Technology] --> E classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F blue
Component What it Covers
People Skills, capabilities, culture, behaviours
Organisation Structure, roles, responsibilities, governance
Processes Ways of working, procedures, workflows
Information Data, knowledge, reporting, analytics
Technology Systems, applications, infrastructure

People

Current vs Future State

Aspect Current State Future State
Skills What skills exist? What skills are needed?
Capacity Current headcount Future headcount
Capabilities Existing competencies Required competencies
Culture Current behaviours Target behaviours
Location Where people work Where people will work

Skills Assessment

Skill Area Current Level Required Level Gap
Digital literacy Basic Advanced High
Data analysis Intermediate Advanced Medium
Customer service Advanced Advanced None
Agile delivery Low Intermediate Medium

Organisation

Structural Elements

Element Description
Hierarchy Reporting lines and levels
Functions Departments and teams
Roles Job roles and responsibilities
Governance Decision-making structure
Interfaces How areas interact

Example: Before and After

CURRENT:                    FUTURE:
┌─────────────┐             ┌─────────────┐
│   Director  │             │   Director  │
└──────┬──────┘             └──────┬──────┘
       │                           │
  ┌────┴────┐               ┌──────┼──────┐
  │         │               │      │      │
┌─┴─┐     ┌─┴─┐           ┌─┴─┐  ┌─┴─┐  ┌─┴─┐
│Ops│     │IT │           │Ops│  │Dig│  │IT │
└───┘     └───┘           └───┘  └───┘  └───┘

Siloed functions    →    Cross-functional + Digital

Processes

Process Categories

Category Examples
Core Customer service, order fulfilment, claims
Supporting HR, finance, IT support
Management Planning, governance, performance

Process Definition

For each key process:

Element Current Future
Purpose Why it exists Why it will exist
Inputs What triggers it What will trigger it
Activities Steps involved Redesigned steps
Outputs What it produces What it will produce
Systems Tools used Tools to be used
Roles Who performs it Who will perform it
Metrics How measured How will be measured

Process Improvement

flowchart LR A[Current
Process] --> B[Pain
Points] B --> C[Improvement
Opportunities] C --> D[Future
Process] D --> E[Benefits] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E blue

Information

Data and Information Needs

Category Considerations
Data What data is needed? Quality? Sources?
Reporting What reports? Frequency? Audience?
Analytics What insights? Dashboards?
Knowledge What knowledge to capture/share?
Compliance Regulatory requirements? Retention?

Data Quality Assessment

Data Domain Current Quality Target Quality Gap
Customer 70% accurate 95% accurate High
Product 85% complete 99% complete Medium
Financial 95% reliable 99% reliable Low
Operational 60% timely 90% timely High

Technology

Technology Landscape

Layer Current Future
Applications Legacy systems list Target applications
Integration Point-to-point API/Integration layer
Infrastructure On-premise Cloud/hybrid
Data Siloed databases Data platform
Security Perimeter-based Zero trust

System Disposition

System Current Role Future State
CRM v1 Customer management Replace with CRM v2
ERP Finance, HR Upgrade
Legacy Portal Customer self-service Retire
New Platform N/A Implement
Data Warehouse Reporting Migrate to cloud

Creating the Blueprint

Development Process

flowchart LR A[Understand
Current State] --> B[Define
Vision] B --> C[Design
Future State] C --> D[Validate with
Stakeholders] D --> E[Finalise
Blueprint] E --> F[Baseline &
Control] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E,F blue

Blueprint Development Steps

Step Activities Outputs
1. Current state Document as-is, pain points Current state model
2. Vision Define target outcomes Vision statement
3. Design Design future state components Draft blueprint
4. Validate Review with stakeholders Feedback, refinement
5. Finalise Complete documentation Approved blueprint
6. Baseline Version control, change process Controlled document

Gap Analysis

Identifying Gaps

For each Blueprint component, identify:

Question Purpose
Where are we now? Current state baseline
Where do we need to be? Target state from Blueprint
What’s the gap? Difference to bridge
How do we close it? Projects, initiatives, changes

Gap Analysis Template

Component Current Target Gap Initiatives
Digital skills 20% staff 80% staff 60% Training programme
CRM system Legacy Cloud CRM Replace CRM Project
Customer process Manual Automated Automate Process redesign
Data quality 70% 95% 25% Data cleansing

Blueprint and Projects

The Blueprint drives project definition:

flowchart TD A[Blueprint
Component] --> B[Gap
Identified] B --> C[Project
Defined] C --> D[Project
Delivers] D --> E[Blueprint
Realised] classDef blue fill:#108BB9,stroke:none,color:#fff class A,B,C,D,E blue

Mapping Projects to Blueprint

Blueprint Element Gap Project(s)
New CRM capability No CRM CRM Implementation
Digital skills Skills gap Training Programme
Automated processes Manual processes Process Automation
Integrated data Data silos Data Platform
New org structure Current structure Restructure

Benefits Linkage

The Blueprint connects to benefits realisation:

Blueprint Element Capability Delivered Benefit Enabled
New CRM 360° customer view Improved retention
Automated processes Faster processing Reduced costs
Digital skills Self-service capability Customer satisfaction
Data platform Better insights Revenue growth

Transitional States

For complex transformations, define intermediate states:

Transition Architecture

Phase State Description
Current As-is Today’s operation
Transition 1 Foundation Core infrastructure, quick wins
Transition 2 Build Major capabilities delivered
Transition 3 Optimise Full capability, refinement
Target To-be Blueprint fully realised

Blueprint Governance

Change Control

Changes to the Blueprint should be controlled:

Change Type Approval
Minor clarification Programme Manager
Component scope change Programme Board
Major redesign SRO + Sponsoring Group

Version Control

  • Maintain version history
  • Document rationale for changes
  • Communicate updates to stakeholders
  • Update dependent documents (projects, benefits)

Blueprint Documentation

Document Structure

Section Content
Executive summary Overview and key messages
Vision and objectives What we’re trying to achieve
Current state As-is model and pain points
Future state Target model (POPIT)
Gap analysis Differences to bridge
Transition approach How we get there
Dependencies External factors
Assumptions Key assumptions made
Risks Blueprint-related risks

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall Mitigation
Too detailed too early Progressive elaboration
Technology-only focus Use POPIT model
No current state Document baseline first
No stakeholder buy-in Involve stakeholders in design
Static document Treat as living document
Disconnected from benefits Explicit linkage to benefits
Unrealistic target Validate feasibility

Blueprint Checklist

Development

  • Vision and objectives clear?
  • Current state documented?
  • All POPIT components covered?
  • Future state defined?
  • Gap analysis complete?
  • Stakeholders validated design?
  • Feasibility confirmed?

Linkage

  • Connected to benefits?
  • Projects mapped to Blueprint?
  • Transition states defined?
  • Dependencies identified?

Governance

  • Document approved?
  • Version controlled?
  • Change process defined?
  • Communication plan in place?
Last updated: 13 January 2026