In addition to translating the end state there are phases of change which have their own translations.
- Idea to Plan
- Plan to Action
- Action to Use
Stage to stage there are individuals who act as the translators. The Idea phase may be the translation of a Vision through End State to a Plan. That would be a hand off from the first horizontal (including the CEO) to another group or individual leading the Plan. Then the PMO or project oriented team members translate to Action (lists, accountabilities, risk management, PMO expertise). The actual Action, the items on the list, are translated by the project team to individuals. Finally those actions become the basis for Use (with technology and process change) or behavior in the case of transformational change.
My recommendation would be to begin the overall change and translation process with an external consultant focused on Corporate Change Management. They would contract with the highest level in the organization and team with the first horizontal. Plan through Action can be internal, external or a combination. The PMO would partner in the Plan phase, be responsible for the Action stage and be part of the handoff to Use.
Fair warning if you are an executive ready to lead a change initiative-
I have never seen a PMO or project oriented team or “passed to” executive (typically a Director within a function) make appropriate and effective translations. Placing change inside that cocoon and perspective from the start of the initiative (and important, the Idea is the start) is guaranteed to be an expensive false start.