Top 10 Challenges to Global Process Ownership

This report features the Top 10 Challenges of implementing and building global process ownership. We used these challenges to help craft the agenda for SSON's first GPO conference in North America: November 18-19 in Atlanta. 1. DEFINITION The GPO role inevitably overlaps with other roles in the shared services and operational structure. It is no easy task to define the specific responsibilities of GPOs and to prevent conflict in the organizational framework. Adding to the challenge is that there really is no one-size fits all definition that can be applied to all organizations. 2. DISRUPTION Although the GPO model sounds good to many companies once they reach a certain level of maturity, senior leaders are often reluctant to completely disrupt their current framework. This often leads to hesitant or half-hearted introductions of the GPO model. 3. CHANGE MANAGEMENT Even if senior management fully buys into the GPO model, there will certainly be kickback from local regions and functions that may be reluctant to lose autonomy. Getting buy-in from all interested parties is certainly a major challenge that takes some serious change management skills. 4. TECHNOLOGY Although many companies implementing a GPO model already have an advanced automation platform already in place, they are likely to have different platforms for different regions or functions. Integrating the platforms and standardizing processes across platforms can be an issue. In order to overcome these challenges, you’ll need to work closely with IT. 5. BALANCE GPOs need to find the right balance between macro-level strategy and micromanagement. Although it is important for GPOs to have an understanding of local processes and be in touch with local management, the tendency is for GPOs to get bogged down in day-to-day operations. 6. ROAD MAP Crafting a road map to implement the GPO is a necessary step because it can be a major challenge. Even if you create a substantial road map, actually sticking to the plan is an even harder challenge. Because the GPO model necessarily overlaps with other frameworks, other structures, other offices, and other leaders, it must be understood at the outset that your implementation strategy will rarely progress linearly. 7. WHAT IS GOOD? GPOs try to measure processes against global standards. However, not all regions or offices or functions should necessarily be treated the same. Understanding when to enforce truly global standards and when to enforce local standards is no easy problem. 8. LACK OF MANDATE POWER GPOs are often expected to drive process improvements without an official mandate at their disposal. Without this crucial enforcement power, GPOs need to be relentlessly persistent in enforcing change and restless in their pursuit of improvement. 9. TALENT Being a GPO requires more than just a sold foundation in process improvement or a strong understanding of a company’s operations. A GPO must also have strong interpersonal skills to get buy-in from senior managers while also having enough clout to enforce change on other managers. 10. CUSTOMERS In the well-intended push to drive process improvement, sometimes customers get lost in the shuffle. If the changes are not well communicated, transparent and implemented smoothly, customer relationships can potentially be harmed. Learn how to design and improve end-to-end process management at The Global Process Ownership Summit. The first event of its kind in the U.S. kicks off November 18th in Atlanta. Cross-functional GPOs from companies such as LinkedIn, Warner Brothers, Eli Lilly, Mars, Bridgestone and Meritor will be leading sessions.

Top 10 Challenges to Global Process Ownership

Upcoming Events

Shared Services & GBS Select Executive Leadership Summit

Shared Services & Outsourcing Week

Unlocking $30 Million in Cash Flow: Konica Minolta’s Full Cycle F&A Transformation

The New 9-to-Whenever: What Office Meal Trends Reveal About the Modern Workplace

The Real Journal Automation Gap: Why Posting Is Solved but Creation Is Not

The Top 5 Priorities of Forward-Thinking CFOs in Midsize Businesses

Follow Us

Latest Webinars

Redefining Finance Value: Key Insights from SSOW Europe 2026

Avoiding Buyer’s Remorse in E-Invoicing Compliance

AI-Driven Invoice Automation with Basware’s Invoice Lifecycle Management

Recommended

Analytics Beyond Numerator & Denominator: From Analytics Reporting to Real Influ...

Invisible Hierarchies and Governance

There Are Always Dots to Connect. But Do We See Them?

Embedding Governance in Organizational Strategy

Master Data Management as a Foundation for AI Success

Data as a Blueprint for Renewal and Value

Everyone Talks About Transformation, Few Are Ready to Leap!

Data Infrastructure: Building the Fabric of Transformation

The Power of Data Quality in GBS Transitions

Data Literacy as the First Step in Digital Transformation

Building a Bridge to the Future: Human-tech Collaboration for Results

How Old Processes Forged the Skills for New AI Roles

FIND CONTENT BY TYPE

SSON COMMUNITY

ADVERTISE WITH US

JOIN THE SSON COMMUNITY

Top 10 Challenges to Global Process Ownership

Upcoming Events

Follow Us

Subscribe to our Free Newsletter

Latest Webinars

Recommended

FIND CONTENT BY TYPE

SSON COMMUNITY

ADVERTISE WITH US

JOIN THE SSON COMMUNITY