About the standard
What is OMDDMS® Practitioner?
Standard Definition
Applying the Operating Model Design Delivery Management Standard
OMDDMS® Practitioner is the second level of the OMDDMS® certification pathway. Where Foundation gives candidates the common language and definition of an operating model, Practitioner teaches candidates to apply that language in practice using the Content Model to frame real problems, conducting a Maturity Assessment, and working through every phase of the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method (OMDDM) from Scope through to Govern.
Candidates leave the course able to assess an organisation's current operating model maturity, identify and remediate ungoverned change, manage the risks inherent in operating model transformation, and use OMDDMS® artefacts to design, deliver, and govern change with confidence.
Because OMDDMS® is sector-agnostic, Practitioner applies equally across financial services, healthcare, government, nuclear, manufacturing, retail, professional services, utilities, and beyond, and continues to integrate with the frameworks your organisation already uses, including TOGAF®, PRINCE2®, SAFe®, ITIL®, COBIT® 2019, and ISO 31000.
Designed to integrate
How Practitioner deepens the integration
Foundation introduces how OMDDMS® slots alongside existing standards and frameworks. Practitioner takes candidates through each OMDDM phase in depth, building the practical skills to apply that integration on a live transformation.
| 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 is the Practitioner course for
The Practitioner course is designed for professionals who have completed Foundation and now need to apply OMDDMS® on a live operating model transformation. Because OMDDMS® is sector-agnostic, it is equally relevant across private, public, and not-for-profit organisations of any size.
Transformation Leaders
Directors and senior managers responsible for delivering 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 to apply 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 to apply a common standard for operating model governance
Enterprise Architects
Practitioners working with TOGAF®, BIZBOK®, or domain architecture who want to apply a complementary operating model method
Risk & Governance Professionals
Those working within ISO 31000, COBIT®, or organisational governance frameworks who need to apply operating model risk and governance in practice
Prerequisites
You must have attended the Applied Operating Models: Design and Delivery Foundation course before taking Practitioner. Foundation establishes the definitions and common language that Practitioner builds on directly. Practitioner is the second step in the OMDDMS® certification pathway.
Outcomes
What you will be able to do
After completing the Practitioner course and passing the online exam, candidates can immediately apply what they have learned. These are the key capabilities you leave with.
Apply the Content Model to structure and frame real operating model problems, and explain the relationship between the Context and Structure Concepts
Conduct an OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment, establishing baseline and target maturity and mapping the effort to close the gap
Scope, discover, analyse, and design an operating model using each phase of the OMDDM
Recognise ungoverned change, describe how to remediate it, and describe the process for governed change
Transition an operating model from design into delivery
Identify and manage the risks inherent in operating model transformation using the ISO 31000 approach
Monitor and sustain operating model performance after implementation
Govern operating model transformation using the OMDDM Governance Framework and apply OMDDMS® artefacts
Curriculum
Learning objectives by module
The Practitioner course covers 12 modules across two days. The complete learning objectives for every module are listed below. Click any module to expand it.
01The Content Model
- Describe the Content Model and why it is necessary for operating model development
- List the benefits of the Content Model
- List the Level 1 and Level 2 Concepts of the Content Model and their Components
- Explain why the Content Model is important for understanding operating model development
- Describe how the Content Model helps in the development of an operating model
- Discuss the Components of the Context Concept and how they relate to the Structure Concept Components
02The Scope Phase
- Explain why the Scope Phase is a necessary step in developing an operating model
- Describe the inputs and outputs
- Describe the steps to take during the Scope Phase
- Explain the expected outcomes
03The Discover Phase
- Explain why the Discover Phase is a necessary step in developing an operating model
- Describe the inputs and outputs
- Describe the steps to take during the Discover Phase
- Explain the expected outcomes
04OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment
- Understand what the OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment is
- Understand the purpose of an OMDDMS® operating model maturity assessment, including establishing baseline maturity, setting target maturity, and understanding the effort, activities, and time required
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of conducting an operating model maturity assessment
- Explain how to assess using internal and external perspectives
- Explain the objectives, process, and outcomes of the maturity assessment
- Understand how to compare the current state of the operating model against the state needed to deliver the organisation's strategy
- Understand how to map complexity and identify the typical effort required to close maturity level gaps
05The Analyse Phase
- Describe how the Analyse Phase identifies and determines the impacts of proposed changes when designing and developing an operating model
- Describe the inputs and outputs
- Describe the steps to take during the Analyse Phase
- Explain the expected outcomes
06The Design Phase
- Explain the need for the Design Phase
- List the benefits of Communities of Practice
- Describe the objectives and outcomes of the Design Phase
- Describe the inputs and outputs of the Design Phase
- Describe the steps taken during the Design Phase
07Operating Model Change
- Describe some of the causes for change
- Explain the differences between Ungoverned Change and Governed Change
- Describe how to recognise ungoverned change
- Describe the process for remediating ungoverned change
- Describe the process for governed change
08The Transition Phase
- Explain what is required in the Transition Phase of operating model change
- Describe the inputs and outputs
- Describe the steps to take during the Transition Phase
- Explain the expected outcomes
09Risk
- Explain what risk is
- Describe where risk is placed in the Content Model
- List at least five risks arising from operating model change
- Explain the relationship between the OMTO (Operating Model Transformation Office) and the OMB (Operating Model Board)
- List the 3 areas of the ISO 31000 risk management approach
10The Monitor Phase
- Explain why the Monitor Phase is a necessary step in developing an operating model
- Describe the inputs and outputs
- Describe the steps to take during the Monitor Phase
- Explain the expected outcomes
11The Govern Phase
- Explain what governance is
- Explain the differences between governance and management
- Explain why governance is important across all operating model development phases
- Outline the 9 areas of the OMDDM Governance Framework
- Discuss the following concepts: principles, standard, policy, regulation, procedure and guideline
- Describe the 2 functions of the Govern Phase and explain why each is necessary
12Artefacts
- Explain that artefacts are essentially communication mechanisms in OMDDMS®, providing structure, clarity, and guidance
- Explain that artefacts are created or consumed by steps within a phase
- List types of artefact, including models, diagrams, documentation, checklists, plans, and roadmaps
- Understand that each phase of the OMDDM uses specific artefacts, and that there are more than 20 artefacts in total
Applied Learning
Practical exercises
Theory is only part of the Practitioner course. Across both days, candidates complete six structured exercises using a single case study running throughout – applying each concept immediately in context.
Day One
1
Complete the Content Model
2
Complete the Operating Model Design and Delivery Method
3
Provide a playbook approach to Operating Model Assessment
Day Two
1
Demonstrate understanding of the Ungoverned Change process
2
Risk activity mapping to the OMDDM
3
Demonstrate the use of the Content Model to frame operating model problems
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 Practitioner 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 Practitioner fits
Practitioner is the second step in OMDDMS® certification, building directly on Foundation. Candidates who have not yet completed Foundation can save £381 by booking the 4-day Combined programme instead.
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Practitioner
from £1,690 + VAT · 2 days
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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 Practitioner 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 Practitioner course, the standard, or the pathway. If your question is not here, book a call with the training team.
What is the OMDDMS® Practitioner course?
The OMDDMS® Practitioner course – formally titled Applied Operating Models: Design and Delivery Practitioner – is a 2-day certified training programme teaching candidates to apply the Content Model, conduct an OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment, and use the full OMDDM in practice. 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).
Do I need to complete Foundation before Practitioner?
Yes. You must have attended the Applied Operating Models: Design and Delivery Foundation course before taking Practitioner. Foundation establishes the common language and core concepts that Practitioner builds on directly.
What is the difference between Foundation and Practitioner?
Foundation establishes conceptual and structural knowledge of OMDDMS® – 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 the OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment. Foundation is a prerequisite for Practitioner.
How do I get certified in OMDDMS® Practitioner?
Candidates complete the 2-day Practitioner 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.
What does the OMDDMS® Maturity Assessment involve?
The Maturity Assessment establishes an organisation's current (baseline) operating model maturity, sets a target maturity, and identifies the effort, activities, and time required to close the gap. Candidates learn to assess using both internal and external perspectives and to map complexity to the typical effort required to close maturity level gaps against the organisation's strategy.
Is the course CPD accredited?
Yes. The OMDDMS® Practitioner course is CPD accredited at 20 hours by the CPD Standards Office, Provider 51019, accreditation period 2026–2028.
How much does the Practitioner course cost?
The public Practitioner 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 Practitioner course, available virtually, at your organisation's premises, or at an off-site venue. Contact us for group pricing and scheduling.
How does Practitioner cover risk?
Practitioner includes a dedicated Risk module covering what risk is, where risk sits in the Content Model, at least five risks arising from operating model change, the relationship between the OMTO and the OMB, and the three areas of the ISO 31000:2018 risk management approach.
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. Practitioner applies these integrations in practice, alongside any combination of these frameworks.
I use TOGAF®. Is Practitioner relevant to me?
Yes. TOGAF® is an enterprise architecture framework focused on the design and governance of architecture. Practitioner teaches you to apply the structured method for designing and delivering the operating model that your architecture describes, across the Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern phases, integrating with TOGAF® and ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010:2022.
I work with COBIT®. Does Practitioner build on it?
Yes. COBIT 2019 is a governance framework for enterprise IT. Practitioner teaches how OMDDMS® integrates with COBIT at the Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, and Govern phases, providing the practical operating model design and delivery method that sits alongside COBIT's governance structures.
We use PRINCE2® or SAFe®. How does Practitioner fit?
Practitioner teaches the OMDDM across all phases – Scope, Discover, Analyse, Design, Transition, Monitor, and Govern – run in parallel with programme and project delivery under PRINCE2 or SAFe. Those methods govern how projects are delivered; Practitioner teaches how the operating model being delivered by those projects is designed, transitioned, and managed.
Our organisation runs ITIL®. Will Practitioner conflict with it?
No. Practitioner teaches how 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.
