The Challenge

Established in 1944 with a focus on providing engineering services to the nation's growing transportation and infrastructure needs, H.W. Lochner has grown into an employee-owned business with over 500 engineers focused in transportation, urban planning, and mass transit.

As the firm has grown, it became increasingly challenged with developing a strategic planning and execution process that would allow its employee owners to realize its aggressive vision while steadily navigating leadership transitions and increasingly uncertain market conditions. Like many companies, Lochner also struggled with the discipline necessary to consistently communicate and execute its strategy across a diverse and growing company.

The Solution

In 2008, the H.W. Lochner selected ParCon Consulting as its partner in redesigning its strategic planning, management, and monitoring processes. The goal was to develop and deploy a strategic planning process that would engage a broad group of the company's young professionals in research focused on developing new insights & surfacing exciting growth options based on emerging market conditions.

An emphasis was also placed on detailed activity planning coupled with strong strategic governance and tracking processes. These would insure that the final strategy remained on track and that emerging opportunities and market conditions could immediately be integrated into a dynamic planning and execution model.

To meet these objectives, ParCon deployed an array of strategic management processes including; a strategic management assessment (SMA), in-depth market research & Growth Innovision, strategy mapping, Horizon Planning™, and balanced scorecard development. Strategy deployment was supported by a nation-wide communication program supported by monthly strategic performance reviews.

The Results

As a direct result of the strategy, the organization committed to continuing as an employee owned, independent firm during a time rife with industry consolidation. To support their vision and growth objectives, the executive team committed to;

• Aggressive geographic expansion in the core business
• Strengthening efforts and alliances in alternative funding and delivery
• The systematic penetration of two new markets that offer exciting growth opportunities while helping the firm balance its risk and profit profile
• Dramatic improvements in talent management & leadership development