Excellence vs. Enablement Duality

The Center of Excellence has been criticized or faced resistance for a number of reasons.

There’s a growing interest in the Center of Enablement (CoEn).

People tend to use “Centre of Excellence (CoE)" and "Centre of Enablement (CoEn)" interchangeably. But they actually reflect different approaches and focuses.

A Centre of Excellence is typically focused on:
→ establishing best practices
→ governance
→ standardization for the Power Platform.

It’s about using the platform effectively and efficiently while mitigating risks.

Here’s some of the criticisms:

🙁 Centralized control: It can perceived as a top-down, centralized approach, causing friction or resistance among teams that prefer autonomy and flexibility in their work processes. It can lead to an extra layer of bureaucracy, slowing down innovation and decision-making.

🙁Limited innovation: The focus on governance, best practices, and standardization in a CoE can unintentionally stifle creativity and innovation. This can constrain staff and discourage them from exploring new ideas or solutions.

🙁Resource allocation: Establishing and maintaining a CoE requires a dedicated team of experts, time, and resources. Some organizations might be reluctant to commit to such an investment, especially if they're unsure about the potential return on investment (ROI).

The CoEn is generally more focused on empowering individuals and teams to use the Power Platform to its fullest potential. It’s about creating an environment where people can learn, grow, and contribute to the organization's success using the Power Platform.

Power Platform Centre of Enablement (CoEn) typically focuses on:

→ Providing training and resources to enable individuals and teams to develop their skills.

→ Encouraging innovation and experimentation with the Power Platform.

→ Mentoring and coaching users to become more proficient in using the platform.

→ Facilitating cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.

→ Identifying and promoting success stories and use cases.

Both of these approaches - a CoE and a CoEn - can coexist in an organization.

They provide different focuses - one more towards governance and best practice, the other towards empowerment.

What do you think?

If you’re using a CoEn, what’s been your experience?

Get in touch to find out how I can help.