Many operating models were implemented years ago as part of ERP and CRM implementations.  Often, pre-internet and almost certainly pre-digital.

The way operating models are created have changed you now need both a target operating model and a dynamic operating model.  What do I mean?  We have seen in our lives, vinyl records, cassettes, downloads via itunes and then streaming.  iTunes is now being sunset as streaming is now by far the predominant method of listening to music.  So what became the normal only a couple of years ago, is no longer current and that has only taken 10 years.

As business leaders we need to be making sure we are creating the innovation and culture for continual change.  And our business and the systems must be able to change with that innovation.  People, process and systems are intertwined and changing process will probably mean a change in system.  Your business needs to make sure it's agile enough to transform.  It can only do this with a dynamic operating model.

How do you do this?  You need to look as part of your target operating model work and see which links are fixed and which are flexible.  (Fixed links need to become flexible).  These means you can change operating models and you systems can change with you.  Never a 5 minute job, but at least with this investment, it won't or shouldn't be a multi-year project.