As I’ve depicted in my Business Operating System model, the innermost core for all phases is the Plan-Do-Study (or Check)-Act cycle, PDSA or PDCA, whichever you prefer, as the differences are subtle. This method is a cornerstone of continuous improvement in business and personal development. When applied correctly, this simple yet powerful framework can drive […]
Operational Execution: When the end is only the beginning Read More »
I last wrote about governance and purposely left a key aspect for a separate article. This article will focus on the related topics of accountability, performance measures, and reviews. I’ll only briefly touch on performance measures, as I discussed them at length in the article on KPIs: Strategy Deployment: Finding the right key(s) Most organizations
Operational Execution: Establishing cadence Read More »
Governance is the backbone of any organization’s ability to execute consistently. It provides structure, ensures accountability, and mitigates risks. However, excessive governance can lead to bureaucracy and hinder speed and agility in decision-making and progress. There must be a balance! As smaller companies grow, one of the biggest fears is losing the speed of decision-making
Operational Execution: Maintaining control Read More »
Change is a constant in business (and life), yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of organizational success. Whether implementing new technologies, restructuring teams, or shifting strategic direction, effective change management ensures smooth transitions, employees remain engaged, and the intended benefits are realized. I first wrote about change in the following article back
Operational Execution: The only thing constant in life is… Read More »
Strategic goals provide direction, but tactical planning bridges the gap between high-level objectives and day-to-day execution. Tactical plans break down overarching goals into specific actions, deliverables, and responsibilities that can be tracked and adjusted as necessary. Organizations that neglect tactical planning often struggle to translate vision into reality, with teams unsure how to effectively prioritize
Operational Execution: How the battle is won Read More »
Here we are. Goals have been identified. Responsibilities are assigned. Timelines are set. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are in place to track progress. So, what now? Sit back and watch the year unfold. Hardly. A well-structured Business Operating System (BOS) doesn’t stop at setting strategic objectives. The real work lies in execution – turning those
Operational Execution: Where the rubber hits the road Read More »
Once an organization has successfully communicated its strategy, goals, and KPIs, the next challenge is ensuring that these company-level objectives cascade effectively to departments and individuals. They will not always align perfectly with the organization’s goals, nor will all goals cascade to all departments and individuals; however, alignment must still be strongly present. This final
Strategy Deployment: The Cascading Effect Read More »
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential measures for tracking progress toward strategic goals and ensuring alignment with an organization’s vision. One of my favourite definitions is: A Key Performance Indicator is a quantifiable metric used to evaluate the success of an organization, department, employee, or process in meeting objectives. KPIs focus on strategic and operational
Strategy Deployment: Finding the right key(s) Read More »
This blog will wrap up the discussion on deployment frameworks, but not on the entire deployment phase. I’ll open it again with the usual background information. Let’s examine how a fictional company, Concentric Circle Corp (CCC), a mid-sized technology firm looking to scale its business, can use Balanced Scorecards, OKRs, or Hoshin Kanri to Drive
Strategy Deployment: Rounding out the foundations Read More »
No, I’m not referring to BOS or BSC this time, although the acronym I will use has become almost as universal as ABC in the business community. Before diving into the next framework, I want to provide a reminder of the back story: Let’s examine how a fictional company, Concentric Circle Corp (CCC), a mid-sized
Strategy Deployment: Another three-letter term Read More »
