HR Leaders Must Redefine Business Partnership to Meet Rising Organizational Complexity: McLean & Company
The global HR research and advisory firm's new Build a Fit-for-Purpose Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) Operating Model resource includes three blueprints designed to help HR leaders assess organizational fit, design a practical HR business partner operating model, and implement it in a way that drives adoption and ongoing refinement.
TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As organizations navigate growing complexity, changing workforce needs, and increasing expectations for HR to contribute to business outcomes, many HR teams are reassessing whether their current operating model enables the level of strategic partnership leaders require. To bring clarity to the decision-making process, global HR research and advisory firm McLean & Company has released Build a Fit-for-Purpose HRBP Operating Model, a comprehensive resource that helps HR leaders evaluate, design, and implement an HR business partner (HRBP) operating model grounded in the organization's unique context and needs.
"An HRBP operating model should not be adopted by default or used as a quick fix for operational workload," says Lexi Hambides, director, HR Research & Advisory Services at McLean & Company. "The right model starts with a clear understanding of the organization's strategic needs, then translates that understanding into design choices, service expectations, governance, and change practices that enable HRBPs to act as trusted advisors and strategic partners."
McLean & Company explains in the recently published resource that an HRBP operating model clarifies how HRBPs work with leaders and how HR work is structured to support business outcomes. When designed intentionally, the model helps HR focus on outcomes, align people decisions to business needs, and strengthen strategic partnership across the organization.
The firm cautions that the HRBP operating model is a response to increasing organizational complexity, not a default structure. Without first defining the driving need for a stronger HR-business partnership, organizations risk designing a model that does not solve the right problem or deliver meaningful value.
The Build a Fit-for-Purpose HRBP Operating Model resource includes dedicated guidance for each step in McLean & Company's three-phase process:
- Assess the HR Business Partner Operating Model Fit: This phase helps HR leaders determine whether an HRBP operating model is the right fit by assessing current strengths and pain points, analyzing strategic direction and external factors, and identifying the driving need. From there, the resource helps confirm whether the model should proceed, pause, or be reconsidered.
- Design the HR Business Partner Operating Model: This section of the process guides the translation of assessment insights into clear design decisions, including project team structure, design principles, goals and metrics, scope, governance, centralization, and segmentation. It also outlines HRBP service levels, engagement standards, feedback processes, and service level agreements.
- Implement the HR Business Partner Operating Model: The third phase helps HR leaders operationalize the model by aligning HR structure and functions, assessing organizational readiness, developing a rollout plan, and creating an HRBP profile. It also supports change communications, preparation for new ways of working, and ongoing impact monitoring.
Across the three phases, McLean & Company emphasizes that effective HRBP operating models must be grounded in data, aligned to organizational strategy, and supported by clear expectations for how HRBPs and leaders work together.
The research also highlights the importance of leadership buy-in, governance, and implementation planning. By engaging leaders early and preparing HR employees and leaders for new ways of working, organizations can position HRBPs as strategic advisors while supporting a smoother rollout and ongoing refinement.
To access the full resource, please visit McLean & Company's Build a Fit-for-Purpose HRBP Operating Model page or contact Senior Communications Manager Kelsey King at kking@mcleanco.com.
For related support, HR leaders can explore McLean & Company's facilitated workshops, including Create an HR Strategy and Redesign Your HR Structure. To learn more, visit the workshops page.
Media seeking research-backed insights or commentary from McLean & Company experts on strategic HR partnership, HR operating model transformation, workforce planning, change readiness, or implementation planning can contact kking@mcleanco.com.
About McLean & Company
McLean & Company is a global HR research and advisory firm and trusted partner to people leaders navigating today's most pressing workforce challenges. Informed by its work with thousands of HR professionals and executives, the firm provides evidence-based research, diagnostics, practical tools, hands-on support, and services spanning advisory, learning, and coaching. From workforce strategy and leadership to culture, engagement, retention, and AI adoption, McLean & Company helps leaders move from direction to execution and deliver measurable results for their people and organizations.
McLean & Company is a division of Infotech.
Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@mcleanco.com.
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SOURCE McLean & Company
