--- title: "Enterprise Variation Method: assessing options" description: "SIMO GmbH's decision method: build feasible options, simulate them against future scenarios and assess them against ten criteria." canonical: "https://simo-online.com/en/services/method" --- # Enterprise Variation Method The Enterprise Variation Method (EVM) is SIMO GmbH's decision method for major business, data, infrastructure and AI decisions. Instead of jumping to a target architecture, we build feasible options for business, processes, data, applications, technology, AI and governance, simulate them against future scenarios and assess them against your criteria. The result is not a vendor recommendation but a well-founded management decision. Initial call: 45 minutes, free of charge, by video. https://simo-online.com/en/contact Decision Readiness Check: https://simo-online.com/en/self-check Phone: +49 6021 625 63 40 ## Eight steps, each with a result From the starting point to measured impact. After every step there is something you can check. 1. **Baseline: Record the starting point**. Where business, data, applications and technology stand today, and which goals apply. Result: a documented starting point. 2. **Decompose: Break the decision down**. The big question is split into decision areas, together with their dependencies. Result: the areas that need a decision. 3. **Vary: Build options**. For each area we develop feasible alternatives, including ones no vendor would propose. Result: a few clearly described options. 4. **Simulate: Test against scenarios**. Each option is played through against possible futures: growth, regulation, outages. Result: how each option behaves in each scenario. 5. **Evaluate: Assess against criteria**. Ten criteria, weighted by your goals, make the options comparable. Result: an assessment you can follow. 6. **Decide: Decide**. The executive team chooses. The reasons and the rejected alternatives are recorded. Result: a well-founded management decision. 7. **Transform: Implement**. The chosen option becomes the target architecture with a roadmap and is implemented step by step. Result: target architecture, roadmap and acceptance. 8. **Measure: Measure impact**. Against the figures agreed beforehand we check whether the benefit materialises, and adjust. Result: evidence of the impact. ## Ten criteria, weighted by your goals Which option fits is not decided by a single number but by how these criteria play together. ### Value and fit - **Business Value**: The measurable contribution the option makes to results, cost or quality. - **Strategic Fit**: How well it fits strategy, business model and business vision. - **Time-to-Value**: How quickly the benefit actually arrives. - **Data Readiness**: Whether the data needed exists, is reliable and has an owner. - **AI Readiness**: Whether data, technology, rules and responsibilities are ready for AI. ### Effort and risk - **Feasibility**: Whether the option can be delivered with your means, your team and your partners. - **TCO**: The total cost over the lifetime, not just the purchase. - **Risk**: Which risks to operations, data and goals arise or decrease. - **Compliance**: Which statutory, contractual and internal requirements are affected. - **Operational Complexity**: How demanding operation, control and change become day to day. *We take requirements from GDPR, NIS2 or DORA into account from an architecture and risk perspective. This is not legal advice.* ## What the executive team gets out of it ### A decision, not a recommendation You choose between options whose pros and cons are visible, not about a single offer. ### Independent of vendors The options are built before any tender. No vendor shapes the question. ### Recorded and traceable Criteria, weighting and rejected alternatives are documented for boards, auditors and successors. ### Measurable afterwards The figures behind the decision become targets for implementation and are measured later. ## The EVM in the framework, between Define and Architect The framework is the path of every engagement. Within it, the EVM is the stage where the decision is made. 1. **Understand**: Current picture. Where business, data and systems stand. 2. **Define**: Goals and criteria. What the decision has to achieve. 3. **Vary · Simulate · Decide** (Enterprise Variation Method): Options instead of early commitment. Build feasible options, simulate them against future scenarios and decide by your criteria. 4. **Architect**: Target architecture. The chosen option, with a roadmap. 5. **Transform**: Implementation. Supported until it runs in operation. 6. **Enable**: Enablement. Your team carries it forward. 7. **Measure**: Measure impact. Measure the benefit and adjust. Your path with SIMO at a glance: https://simo-online.com/en/services#weg ## What managing directors ask about the method ### Do I need the EVM for every decision? No. It pays off when several paths are open and a lot depends on the choice: a major investment, a system or cloud change, an AI initiative, an acquisition. For clearly defined questions a single service is often enough. ### Who takes part in the assessment? The executive team sets goals, criteria and weighting, and decides. Business units and IT contribute their knowledge of options and scenarios; SIMO's two managing partners lead through the method. ### Is the EVM a piece of software? No, the EVM is a consulting method. We do not sell software and earn nothing from licences; tools are chosen to fit your needs. ### Where does work with the EVM begin? With the starting point. It is established on site in the BISA or BEIA entry; options and assessment build on it, with a fixed scope and a fixed result. ## 45 minutes, and you will know whether SIMO fits your decision. An initial call by video, free of charge and without obligation, with one of the two managing partners. If working together makes no sense, we tell you openly. Initial call: 45 minutes, free of charge, by video. https://simo-online.com/en/contact Decision Readiness Check: https://simo-online.com/en/self-check Phone: +49 6021 625 63 40 Note: the 3D visualisations on this page were created with AI. 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