Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Sustainable Growth Strategy for Museum in Cultural Heritage Sector


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TLDR A mid-sized museum faced a significant decline in visitor numbers and funding due to outdated practices and increased competition from digital exhibits. By adopting innovative digital technologies and implementing the Economic Value Added framework, the museum successfully increased visitor numbers by 25% and diversified funding sources by 30%, demonstrating the importance of Strategic Planning and Innovation in the cultural sector.

Reading time: 11 minutes

Consider this scenario: A mid-sized museum specializing in cultural heritage faces challenges in adopting value-based management amidst a 20% decline in visitor numbers and a 15% drop in funding.

External pressures include increased competition from digital and interactive exhibits, changing visitor expectations, and a shift in public funding priorities. Internally, the museum struggles with outdated exhibition practices and a lack of innovation in visitor engagement strategies. The primary strategic objective is to redefine its value proposition to increase visitor numbers and secure sustainable funding.



Recent performance challenges suggest the museum's traditional approach to exhibition and visitor engagement is no longer aligned with contemporary expectations. The lack of a strategic focus on value-based management may be contributing to its inability to effectively compete in a rapidly evolving cultural heritage sector.

Strategic Analysis

The cultural heritage sector is witnessing a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing visitor expectations.

Understanding the competitive landscape is essential for navigating the sector's complexities:

  • Internal Rivalry: Competition among museums and cultural institutions is intensifying, with many adopting digital technologies to attract a broader audience.
  • Supplier Power: The power of suppliers, including exhibit curators and technology providers, is increasing as the demand for innovative and interactive displays grows.
  • Buyer Power: Visitors have more choices than ever before, empowering them to demand more engaging and interactive experiences.
  • Threat of New Entrants: While barriers to entry are high due to the specialized nature of the sector, new digital platforms and virtual museums represent a growing threat.
  • Threat of Substitutes: The rise of digital and virtual experiences poses a significant substitute threat, offering convenient and often cheaper alternatives to traditional museum visits.

Emerging trends include the integration of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create immersive visitor experiences, the use of big data for personalized engagement, and a growing emphasis on community involvement and education.

  • Adoption of AR and VR technologies: Offers the opportunity to create unique, immersive experiences but requires significant investment in technology and content development.
  • Emphasis on personalized visitor experiences: Utilizing big data can enhance visitor engagement and satisfaction but raises concerns about privacy and data security.
  • Increased focus on educational programming: Presents an opportunity to diversify revenue streams and build community engagement but demands additional resources and expertise.

A PESTLE analysis highlights the impact of technological, social, and economic factors on the sector. Technological advancements are driving innovation but require ongoing investment. Social trends towards experiential learning and entertainment challenge traditional museum models. Economic fluctuations affect public and private funding, necessitating a more strategic approach to financial management.

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Internal Assessment

The museum possesses a rich collection and a strong reputation in the cultural heritage community but is hindered by its slow adaptation to digital trends and limited engagement strategies.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths include the museum's extensive archives and expertise in cultural heritage. Opportunities lie in leveraging technology to enhance exhibits and in expanding educational outreach. Weaknesses are evident in the museum's outdated exhibit designs and lack of interactive content. Threats include increasing competition from digital platforms and a decline in traditional funding sources.

Gap Analysis

The museum's current state versus its potential highlights gaps in digital engagement, innovative exhibit design, and strategic partnerships. Bridging these gaps is crucial for attracting a wider audience and securing diverse funding streams.

Organizational Design Analysis

The museum's traditional hierarchical structure limits agility and innovation. A more flexible, project-based organizational design could facilitate the rapid development and implementation of new exhibits and engagement strategies.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Implement Value-Based Management: Integrate value-based management principles to align resources and activities with strategic objectives aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and operational efficiency. This approach is expected to improve financial sustainability and stakeholder satisfaction. Reallocating resources towards high-value activities will be critical, requiring investment in staff training and technology.
  • Digital Transformation of Exhibits: Develop interactive, digital exhibits that utilize AR and VR technologies to create immersive visitor experiences. This initiative aims to attract a broader audience and increase engagement. The source of value creation lies in differentiating the museum in a competitive market, expected to result in higher visitor numbers and increased revenue. Significant CapEx in technology and content development, as well as OpEx for ongoing maintenance and updates, are required.
  • Community Engagement and Educational Programs: Expand the museum's educational offerings and community involvement initiatives to build deeper connections with local schools, universities, and community groups. This strategy intends to diversify the museum's audience and create new revenue streams through partnerships and grants. The value comes from strengthening the museum's role as an educational resource and community hub. Resources needed include program development staff and marketing efforts to promote new offerings.

Value Based Management Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement.
     – H. James Harrington

  • Visitor Numbers: An increase in visitor numbers will indicate the success of the digital transformation and community engagement initiatives.
  • Engagement Metrics: Metrics such as time spent in exhibits, participation in educational programs, and interaction with digital content will measure visitor engagement levels.
  • Funding Diversity: A broader range of funding sources, including grants, partnerships, and donations, will reflect the effectiveness of strategic initiatives in achieving financial sustainability.

These KPIs provide insights into the effectiveness of strategic initiatives in enhancing the museum's value proposition and financial sustainability. Monitoring these metrics will enable the museum to adjust its strategies in response to changing visitor expectations and sector dynamics.

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Stakeholder Management

Engaging a diverse group of stakeholders is crucial for the successful implementation of the strategic initiatives, including museum staff, technology partners, educational institutions, and the local community.

  • Museum Staff: Essential for developing and implementing new exhibits and engagement strategies.
  • Technology Partners: Providers of AR and VR platforms and digital content creators.
  • Educational Institutions: Schools and universities as partners in educational programming.
  • Local Community: Community groups and organizations as collaborators in outreach initiatives.
  • Funders: Public and private entities providing financial support for strategic initiatives.
Stakeholder GroupsRACI
Museum Staff
Technology Partners
Educational Institutions
Local Community
Funders

We've only identified the primary stakeholder groups above. There are also participants and groups involved for various activities in each of the strategic initiatives.

Learn more about Stakeholder Management Change Management Focus Interviewing Workshops Supplier Management

Value Based Management Best Practices

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Value Based Management Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Value-Based Management Framework (PPT)
  • Digital Transformation Roadmap (PPT)
  • Community Engagement Plan (PPT)
  • Educational Program Development Framework (PPT)
  • Financial Sustainability Model (Excel)

Explore more Value Based Management deliverables

Implement Value-Based Management

The museum's strategic team adopted the Economic Value Added (EVA) framework to anchor its Value-Based Management initiative. EVA is a measure of a company's financial performance based on the residual wealth calculated by deducting cost of capital from its operating profit. This framework was chosen for its effectiveness in assessing true economic profit and the value it creates for shareholders. It proved instrumental in shifting the museum's focus towards value creation activities that enhance its financial health and operational efficiency.

The museum executed the EVA framework with the following steps:

  • Calculated the museum's EVA by determining its net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) and subtracting the capital charge, which is the product of the total capital employed and the weighted average cost of capital (WACC).
  • Identified key operational areas where changes could significantly impact the museum's EVA, focusing on initiatives that could reduce costs or generate additional revenue without substantial capital investment.
  • Implemented targeted initiatives such as optimizing exhibit space for efficiency, introducing dynamic pricing for peak visit times, and enhancing retail and membership offerings to increase revenue.

Through the application of the EVA framework, the museum experienced a marked improvement in its financial performance. This was evidenced by an increase in operational efficiency and a more strategic allocation of resources towards activities that directly contributed to value creation. The museum's focus on EVA also facilitated a cultural shift towards financial accountability and value-based management among its staff.

Digital Transformation of Exhibits

In advancing its Digital Transformation initiative, the museum utilized the Value Chain Analysis framework to understand and optimize its activities in creating value for its visitors. The Value Chain Analysis, developed by Michael Porter, allowed the museum to dissect its operations into primary and support activities, identifying areas where digital technology could enhance efficiency and visitor satisfaction. This framework was particularly useful in pinpointing opportunities for integrating digital technologies into the museum's exhibit design and visitor engagement processes.

The museum implemented the Value Chain Analysis with these steps:

  • Mapped out the museum's primary activities from inbound logistics (e.g., artifact acquisition and exhibit setup) to operations (exhibit maintenance) and outbound logistics (visitor services and merchandise sales), alongside support activities such as technology development and human resource management.
  • Identified specific activities within the value chain that could benefit from digital enhancement, such as augmenting exhibits with AR/VR technologies for a more immersive visitor experience and utilizing digital platforms for personalized visitor engagement and feedback collection.
  • Developed and deployed digital solutions tailored to these activities, ensuring they were integrated seamlessly to enhance the overall value delivered to visitors without disrupting the museum's operational flow.

The deployment of the Value Chain Analysis framework led to significant enhancements in the museum's exhibit offerings and visitor engagement strategies. By focusing on key areas within its value chain for digital transformation, the museum not only improved its operational efficiency but also significantly enhanced the educational and entertainment value it provided to visitors, resulting in increased visitor numbers and satisfaction levels.

Community Engagement and Educational Programs

For its initiative on expanding community engagement and educational programs, the museum embraced the Stakeholder Theory framework. This framework, which emphasizes understanding and managing the expectations of all individuals or groups that affect or are affected by the organization's objectives, was pivotal in guiding the museum's efforts to strengthen its ties with the local community, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. It enabled the museum to identify and prioritize stakeholder needs, leading to more targeted and effective engagement strategies.

Following the adoption of the Stakeholder Theory, the museum took these actions:

  • Conducted a comprehensive stakeholder analysis to identify and categorize key stakeholder groups, including local schools, community organizations, museum members, and donors.
  • Engaged with these groups through surveys, workshops, and meetings to understand their expectations, needs, and how the museum could serve them better through its programs and exhibits.
  • Developed and implemented new programs and initiatives based on this feedback, such as school outreach programs, community history projects, and inclusive exhibit designs that reflect the diversity of the museum's audience.

The application of the Stakeholder Theory framework resulted in a deeper and more meaningful engagement with the museum's community and stakeholders. By aligning its educational programs and community initiatives with stakeholder needs and expectations, the museum not only enhanced its societal impact but also fostered stronger relationships that contributed to its sustainability and growth.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Increased visitor numbers by 25% year-over-year, attributed to the introduction of interactive, digital exhibits featuring AR and VR technologies.
  • Enhanced visitor engagement metrics, with a 40% increase in time spent in exhibits and a 50% rise in participation in educational programs.
  • Diversified funding sources, achieving a 30% increase in grants, partnerships, and donations.
  • Operational efficiency improved by 15% through the application of the Economic Value Added (EVA) framework, leading to better resource allocation.
  • Community engagement initiatives resulted in the development of five new educational programs in partnership with local schools and universities.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the museum have yielded significant positive outcomes, notably in visitor numbers, engagement, and financial sustainability. The successful integration of digital technologies into exhibits has not only attracted a broader audience but also set a new standard for visitor experiences within the cultural heritage sector. The application of the EVA framework has enhanced operational efficiency, demonstrating the effectiveness of value-based management in the museum context. However, the results also highlight areas for improvement. The substantial investment in technology and content development for digital exhibits raises concerns about long-term sustainability and the need for continuous funding to maintain and update these technologies. Additionally, while community engagement and educational programs have been expanded, measuring their long-term impact on the museum's reputation and visitor loyalty requires further analysis.

Based on these findings, the recommended next steps include conducting a cost-benefit analysis of ongoing investments in digital technologies to ensure they remain sustainable. Exploring additional revenue-generating opportunities, such as licensing digital content or offering virtual tours, could offset these costs. Further, the museum should continue to expand its community engagement efforts, specifically by leveraging digital platforms to reach broader audiences. Finally, implementing a robust framework for measuring the long-term impact of educational programs on visitor loyalty and community reputation will be crucial for assessing the effectiveness of these initiatives and guiding future strategic decisions.

Source: Sustainable Growth Strategy for Museum in Cultural Heritage Sector, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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