This article starts a bit differently than others. But bare with me, we will get to something really interesting here…
Disclaimer: My writing reflects solely my own opinion, not the one of my employer.
A Story to Learn from
Japan, 17th century. The historic village of Shirakawa-gō was formed in the Shogawa River Valley, nestled in the remote mountains spanning from Gifu to Toyama Prefectures. The area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and today, tourists can visit the houses built in the Gasshō-zukuri style.
My wife and I traveled there in 2024. Walking through the village and admiring the amazing, unique houses was one of the absolute highlights of our trip.
A few weeks later, back from vacation, I sat at my laptop. It was one of those days when I had to think hard about how to bring stakeholders along at work. We were serving a client on a massive Technology Transformation journey and—as usual—I found myself in the middle of corporate power plays and fragmented thinking. I needed a way to explain to my C-suite client how technology impacts business and how such transformations are held together end-to-end.
And then it hit me: the Gasshō-zukuri houses my wife and I had explored so breathtakingly were the perfect metaphor for what I was trying to convey.
On a fundamental level, here’s why…
1. A system with one binary code.
It was the German sociologist and philosopher Niklas Luhmann who proclaimed that each system in our society follows a binary code. It’s either 0 or 1. In the case of the people living in Shirakawa-gō, it was about having the basic necessities—food, clothing, shelter, and a social network—, or not. Simply put: survival.
Similarly, companies in the private sector operate under a binary code: profitability. Every action taken during a transformation—whether by leaders, consultants, or technical teams—should be streamlined toward one of two objectives: enhancing revenue or reducing costs.
2. Reality sets the boundaries.
Even today, the people of Shirakawa-gō face many challenges due to their environment. Their village is built on a narrow strip of land along the river, with limited access to building materials and a harsh climate that brings a staggering amount of snow.
They couldn’t change their surroundings; they had to adapt. Businesses face similar constraints—legacy systems, regulations, and market forces that must be acknowledged and navigated. Ambition is necessary, but reality sets the boundaries. Transformation must happen within those limits.
3. Fit for purpose, sustainable architecture.
The houses in Shirakawa-gō have steep roofs, sloped at around 60 degrees, forming nearly equilateral triangles that allow snow to slide off easily. Heat from the first floor—generated by a simple open fire—warms the floors above.
The roofs, constructed without nails, create large attic spaces used for cultivating silkworms. This is a smart, sustainable ecosystem, designed for survival.
Likewise, a successful business transformation must identify its essential elements and integrate them seamlessly. The “silkworms” in IT systems are new features that get developed over time. Instead of “heat passing through the floors”, it is data that must seamlessly flow following an aligned data architecture to ensure interoperability.
4. Simplicity in design.
Functionality and design must go hand in hand. Every design choice in these houses was made consciously, with great foresight. While they are aesthetically pleasing and evoke a sense of calm, that was never the primary goal. What truly mattered was:
Making the most of available materials
Building for resilience
Providing warmth without burning down the house
Creating living spaces that fostered community
Maintaining tidiness in limited space
I often explain governance to business and technology leaders using the metaphor of “achieving and maintaining a tidy house.” Transformations take time. Often, those who start them have moved on before they’re completed. Successors must inherit the ideas and principles that have gone into the Enterprise Architecture, an agreed upon baseline, and clear decision paths in case changes are made. Else, it won't take long until full chaos moves in.
5. Expertise, resilience, and commitment.
A key role in the construction of these houses? The roof thatchers.
Thatched roofs take about a month to complete, and most require restoration every 20 years.
Becoming a skilled thatcher isn’t easy—it demands physical fitness, resilience to harsh weather, fearlessness at great heights, and deep expertise in handling and preserving straw materials.
Similarly, Tech Transformations rely on the shoulders of highly competent, bold leaders as well as technical experts who bring experience and contextual knowledge to the table. The most talented “roof thatchers must be identified and taken along. They play the most important role in any Tech Transformation.
6. “Yui” - Supporting each other.
In Japanese, “Yui” means mutual assistance or shared labor—a principle passed down through generations in Shirakawa-gō. Simply put: teamwork.
During winter, the village was often isolated by heavy snowfall. Living under such conditions was impossible without cooperation. Fire hazards, food shortages, and snow blockages meant survival depended on working together.
Just like in Technology Transformations, there must be a constant sense of urgency, driving people to collaborate relentlessly toward change.
7. Invest in Transformation capabilities.
Shirakawa-gō was a village of farmers. Over time, they developed and refined tools to support their hard work. The attics of the houses still showcase these tools today—a legacy of constant adaptation. New tools replaced old ones, boosting productivity and efficiency.
The same applies to Technology Transformation. Companies introduce new digital tools—whether an ERP platform, CRM system, or even a simple time-tracking app. This is beneficial, but it comes with a caveat:
What you build today becomes your legacy tomorrow. Prepare your organization for constant change.
Perfect. This was exactly what I was searching for.
However, I couldn’t stop at the metaphor. I had to dig deeper, to show where I saw the silkworms, the “Yui,” the roof thatcher, and the tools within business and technology.
So, I sat down and put my PowerPoint skills to the test. Thought by thought, layer by layer, the picture came together.
And here it is: the Gasshō Tech Transformation Framework—a structure designed to help leaders and practitioners better understand how the elements of a corporate technology transformation are interconnected.
Funnily, this was never used or shared with anyone. But it was vital to have this analogy always on top of my mind. My Substack now serves as a repository of future thoughts. Feel free to stay connected to benefit from it.
Wanna know more?
Do approach me if you have a specific challenge or a transformation journey ahead. I am working for one of the leading firms in the Tech Consulting space and am happy to help in this capacity.
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Picture credits:
Shirakawa-go in winter:
https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/takayama-city/winter-in-takayama-and-shirakawago/Shirakawa-go in spring:
Own photographyHouse Model:
Own photographyHouse Interiors:
Own photographyRooftop building:
Image Source: https://visitgifu.com/specials-of-gifu/shirakawa-go/Community support to build roof:
https://sustainablebrands.com/read/why-shirakawa-village-is-considered-one-of-the-world-s-top-100-sustainable-destinationsFarmer tools:
Own photography