Strategy for the Strategists | Notes from Our Whiteboard

Just like we help the organizations we work with pull away to look at their organization and facilities from the 40,000 foot birdseye view, occasionally we do that for ourselves.

We wanted to share some snapshots of our white board that captured some key points in our thinking.

Taking a long time to make a decision, doesn't necessarily result in a better decision. When dealing with the large sums of money required in designing, constructing and operating fixed brick and mortar assets, it is easy to get stuck. (You've probably heard the term, "paralysis by analysis.")

At SD, part of our core mission is to facilitate good decisions. And while you would think that good data would equate to informed decisions, it doesn't always. Not because of a lack of intellect or a lack of data, but because of an inability to see data in terms of cause and effect.

Getting all the ideas on the table. In many groups, the vocal majority can limit thinking to a single favorite scenario. To truly explore all the possibilites--and to be able to spark solutions that haven't yet been thought of--there has to be a mechanism to get all the ideas on the table. Without a skilled facilitator or a solid process, some of the best ideas will never see light.



Software can be used linearly, but the power is in collaborative use. Most planning processes are linear. Point A to Point B. And in a linear process, there can be handoffs. An architect can deal with space...a cost consultant can determine the money...etc.

The thing is, the elements of your facilities--people, space, time and money--are not linear. They are linked. And every decision you make, changes the elements.

At Strategic Dimensions--our purpose is to provide tools that are collaborative, visual and in real-time. Because a linear approach can't produce multi-faceted solutions.

© Strategic Dimensions 2009