A leading German automaker uses group-wide review weeks to examine application data, clarify responsibilities, and initiate specific corrective actions. ITM Consulting plans and manages the process, bridges the gap between business units and IT, and makes progress measurable.
01 Background
Why Tidying Up Is Primarily an Organizational Task
The Swabian “Kehrwoche” follows a simple principle: whoever’s turn it is takes responsibility for their assigned area and picks up a broom. Our client has applied this concept to the company’s IT infrastructure. Instead of stairwells and sidewalks, the focus is on applications, processes, and data.
In a large, globally distributed organization, this is a challenging task. Thousands of applications must be evaluated. Technical dependencies must be taken into account. Decisions affect many departments, country organizations, and IT managers. At the same time, day-to-day operations must continue as usual.
The biggest hurdle, therefore, rarely lies with the tool itself. What matters most are clear lines of responsibility, a standardized process, and the active involvement of the departments. Without this foundation, data gaps remain, and agreed-upon measures lose priority in day-to-day operations.
02 Procedure
A structured process from planning to evaluation
Define the Target Vision and Scope
At the outset, the target state, scope, and success criteria for the Kehrwoche are defined. This includes the affected applications and organizational units, the relevant quality criteria, and clear KPIs. A common process model prevents each unit from developing its own rules.
Coordinate Stakeholders and Tasks
ITM Consulting coordinates functional departments, country organizations, and IT teams across organizational boundaries. Tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities are clearly assigned. This creates a single, shared status update rather than many local lists.
Preparing for SAP LeanIX and Empowering Teams
The Kehrwoche is configured in SAP LeanIX so that tasks and progress are traceable. Role-based training prepares participants for their work. Accompanying Q&A sessions address functional and technical questions before they slow down the process.
During implementation, ITM Consulting provides operational support, compiles feedback, and forwards open issues to the appropriate contacts.
Measuring Progress and Improving the Next Cycle
KPI-based reporting shows which areas are making progress and where further action is needed. ITM Extensions and custom reports supplement the standard analyses. AI-powered checks can help identify anomalies in large data sets and prioritize follow-up tasks. The responsible teams review the results and retain decision-making authority.
After completion, the experiences are analyzed in a structured manner. The findings are incorporated into the rules, training, tool configuration, and reporting for the next cycle.
The key step is not to collect more data. It is to consistently close identified data gaps by establishing clear responsibilities, a binding process, and the right tools.
03 Result
The "
" cleanup campaign is becoming a management tool
A well-executed "Kehrwoche" leaves behind more than just cleaned-up data sets. It provides a reliable view of the application landscape and highlights which systems, roles, and dependencies require closer examination.
Clearly defined responsibilities and a standardized process reduce the need for coordination between IT and business units. Decisions are easier to understand, and tasks can be tracked effectively. At the same time, acceptance increases because those involved are brought on board early and prepared for their roles.
The long-term benefit lies in repetition. A single initiative gives rise to a sustained improvement process. Data quality improves gradually, and the organization can manage its IT landscape more reliably. This creates a better foundation for digitalization, automation, and the responsible use of AI.
ITM Consulting combines strategic consulting with operational management. We develop the process model, coordinate stakeholders, configure SAP LeanIX, empower teams, and provide support for reporting and optimization. Discover our SAP LeanIX expertise or talk to us about your next Kehrwoche.