Your business should
operate like a fine-tuned machine, like a slick piece of technology. Consider
that statement and it
s ramifications. What if your people were all rowing in the same
direction, in tune and with clear focus? That is where the Alignment Model of
Strategic Planning is used.
s ramifications. What if your people were all rowing in the same
direction, in tune and with clear focus? That is where the Alignment Model of
Strategic Planning is used.
The overall purpose of the
model is to ensure strong alignment among the organization's mission and its
resources to effectively operate the organization. This model is useful for
organizations that need to fine-tune strategies or find out why they are not
working. An organization might also choose this model if it is experiencing a
large number of issues around internal efficiencies.
Think of your business as
an advanced machine or technology with many moving parts that is always changing
due to key environmental factors and its human elements. The challenge is to
fine-tune the machine and engage the resources to achieve effectiveness and
efficiencies for positive results.
If we used technical
documents as a reference, words like resolution, parameters, amplitude,
frequency and reliability would be used to describe the boundaries around
operations. These are all great words and can easily be aligned into the
business thinking for long-term strategic impact. A deeper look into these words
reveals an interesting business perspective.
Resolution:
This is a degree of sharpness and the determination to act upon something that
you have decided to do. You do it with resolve. It is never too late to
fine-tune your resolution or to make a decision on a change or course of action.
Consider writing down what it is you want to do and create the determination to
make it happen. Just do it!
Parameters:
This is a variable that must have a specific value during the execution of a
procedure. It usually has limits or boundaries or guidelines - for example, the
basic parameters of a technological setting or an organizational policy or
process. Like a technological setting, we all have parameters that we live by
within our professional lives. As business leaders you should know the
parameters by which you and the business operate. It is important that processes
and people align to business parameters.
Amplitude:
This refers to greatness of size; it is the magnitude, fullness, the breadth or
the range. To what level will you work to? How loud are you expressing what it
is you are wanting or willing to do? If you want to be successful, tell someone.
Express your greatness, the magnitude and range that you are willing to go to.
Figure out your greatness and grow your amplitude.
Frequency:
This is the rate of occurrence, as in the number of periods or regularly
occurring events of any given unit of time. How often do you do what you do?
What is your consistency level? In order to achieve your resolution within the
parameters that are set and within the amplitude you have expressed, what is the
desired frequency? Frequency is important to your success. You must practice
frequency of engaged and focused positive actions every single day.
Reliability:
By definition, reliability is the extent to which a system or human element can
be counted on. This measure can relate to achievement, accuracy or honesty.
Reliability is truly about trust. In a systems world, reliability would
simply mean that it does not break down that often. How reliable are you
and your people and can it be measured within the parameters that have been set
for strategic purposes.
Alignment models for
strategic planning seek to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, fine tuning
the business environment for the best possible positive results. If we use
technology measurements as the benchmarks for understanding how a system, an
organization and the human element should work, then we can see that certain
criteria needs to be considered. Ultimately we all want our business and its
people to operate successfully. The challenge is to get aligned and make it
happen.
In what way do you need to focus and fine tune your business for greater success? Contact me for a 30 minute discussion about what you might be able to do.
