Alignment Optimization

© SchellingPoint 2012

Alignment Optimization

An Introductionto

Synchronize Your Destination™


Alignment Optimization (AO) methods and software are used by leaders at organizations of all types and size, to increase the Quality, Execution, and Efficiency of ‘collaborative actions’, such as strategy, policy, projects, and business relationships, as the alternative to doing it themselves or with non-technology enabled consultants.


AO is designed for the leaders and participants of ‘Collaborations’


‘Collaborations’ - small groups to large communities – in one organization or across many.


Collaborations determine in what direction, how far, and how fast, organizations advance.


In 12 months alone, multiple collaborations are conducted in every organization.(We have identified and mapped over 80 common collaborations conducted by organizations; above are just a few)


How often do they enjoy the green line?


What comes to mind when you hear: ‘Revise our strategy, create a policy, implement that project, fix the alliance.’?


Fostering and sustaining high alignment is a core leadership skill -but where were leaders trained ‘how-to’?


When asked, this is how they reply.


Leaders of collaborations must balance three competing objectives.


Action Science • How people choose to act,

and not act

• Research lead by Professor Chris Argyris

SchellingPoint saw an opportunity to integrate three bodies of work and transform collaboration.

Theory of Interdependent Decision-making

• How groups coordinate their actions in mixed-motive, non-zero sum situations

• Research lead by Prof. Thomas Schelling, 2005 Economics Nobel Prize winner

Relational Networks•The relationship model behind inter- and intra- company value chains

•Identify synergistic and conflicting value drivers


AO Concepts• GUBA

• Degree of Alignment• Four alignment positions

• Three reasons for misalignment• …

CoordinatedAction AO Technology

• Alignment Index• Topic Templates

• Foundation Document• …

AO Methodology•Outside/In Themes•Personal Safety•Action Inquiry•…

The result was Alignment Optimization.


AO Technology• Alignment Index• Topic Templates



AO Concepts• GUBA



CoordinatedAction

How can you take the straight line to alignment, or get there at all, if you aren’t accommodating

alignment’s core concepts?





AO Concepts• GUBA



CoordinatedAction

The four categories of opinion driving action and inaction





AO Concepts• GUBA



CoordinatedAction

Every group measured had an initial Alignment Index between 44 and 83.





AO Concepts• GUBA



CoordinatedAction

Knowing which position accelerates prioritization





AO Concepts• GUBA



CoordinatedAction

Knowing the cause of misalignment is the root to resolving it


AO Concepts• GUBA






CoordinatedAction

These drove the need for method and technology to efficiently assemble endorsed, viable plans.


Solution Accuracy

Plan Quality

Stakeholder Engagement

Implementer AdoptionSpeed to Action

Efficiency

Affordability

0

5

10

DIYInternally


ManagementConsulting Team

Solution Accuracy

Plan Quality



Efficiency

Affordability

0

5

10

DIYInternally


Alignment Manager& AO Technology

Leaders can now access software and methods to upgrade conventional manual, human-centric, modes of collaboration.

Solution Accuracy

Plan Quality



Efficiency

Affordability

0

5

10

ManagementConsulting Team

DIYInternally


Alignment Optimization Technology Certified Alignment Managers

Alignment Optimization Education

Alignment CyclesAlignment Products

Action Research

SchellingPoint trains Alignment Managers to use the AOT software and AO methods to facilitate light, efficient, high quality collaborations.


AOT is a powerful cloud-based, social business application.


Alignment Managers are:- Individuals inside a corporation who facilitate Alignment services for their leaders- Consultants at management consultancies that see an opportunity to change the

customer value proposition.


AO is deployed today in three forms of Alignment service.

Action ResearchAlignment Products

Alignment Cycles


1. Alignment Cycles

Enable any group to rapidly translate their thoughts into the best coordinated action around a shared topic.


2. Alignment Products

Provide customers with access to a library of pre-packaged services that allow them to bring the quality of the best

management consulting in-house on common topics.


3. Action Research

Unlike traditional ‘market research’, use Coordinated Action concepts to understand what is/will drive action and inaction in a community, identify like-minded clusters, and develop personalized solutions and action roadmaps.


AO and AOT are increasingly being used by leading organizations across the world.


A SchellingPointPartner Network

Alignment Manager

Your In-HouseAlignment Manager

Your Group

The AOT Software

or

Turning on an Alignment service is straightforward.


Use AO methods and AOT software on your next collaboration:

The best objectives - that are viable – and endorsed - without all the meetings.


[email protected]

Tools are available to explore the material within these slides.

A series of case studies are available in AOT at schellingpoint.com, illustrating how Alignment services operate in practice.

To learn more about Alignment Optimization methods, see the AOT software in action, or find an Alignment Manager,

please contact:

Thank you for your interest.

Documents

Alignment Optimization