The world of organizational development is s strange one. ask 10 practitioners in the field what it is and you will get 11 different answers!For those of us involved in the cloak and dagger world of Organizational Development we use a wide range of organizational diagnostic tools however when it comes to planning and monitoring progress we often do things a little freestyle. While this may feel creative and valuable it may well be one of the contributing factors to change programmes not … [Read more...] about Organizational Diagnostics and Strategy Maps
5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
The SWOT analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in business. It's four simple perspectives provide a framework which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood. Why do so many people make these common 5 mistakes in SWOT analysis implementations?Lets remind ourselves what this is - SWOT = Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.The Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors. The opportunities and threats are external factors.Some … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a SWOT analysis
Strategic development: Are we missing the point?
Strategic development: Are we missing the point?As developers, consultants and change agents, we often talk about strategic programmes and actions, but are we taking the appropriate first steps?This article looks at the steps we take and explores if we can be more strategic and add more value. IntroductionOften we know where we want to get to, or at least have a good idea, but often as the old saying goes: “If I was going there, I would not start from here.”That is a very logical … [Read more...] about Strategic development: Are we missing the point?
SWOT or SOAR? – Strategy and tools in business
Strategy and tools in business - To SWOT or SOAR? Over the years a lot of good and bad things have been said by many HR and consulting practitioners about the SWOT analysis. Certainly it is not the most robust of tools in its basic form. But when used in the way it was originally developed, it is a powerful methodology and framework. Some people have argued that it is time to move on from the SWOT analysis to other tools and techniques. In this piece we explore SOAR an Appreciative Inquiry … [Read more...] about SWOT or SOAR? – Strategy and tools in business
Our business is helping your business to grow (or survive) – tag lines gone mad!
Our business is helping your business How many times have we heard this from suppliers? Are they really there to help us and our problem - or are they there to sell a product? Or is this just a fad tag line in the business world?This is much like the training and learning debate occurring in training - the 'training provider' having a product and the learner having a need - but do they really match?The identification of needs is really important to identify the gap (gap analysis). In … [Read more...] about Our business is helping your business to grow (or survive) – tag lines gone mad!
How to select the appropriate business improvement diagnostic
How to select the appropriate business improvement diagnostic The RapidBI team have developed a range of diagnostic tools suitable for identifying business planning strategies and management culture improvements for many organizations - but how do you select the one that is right for you?The BIR is a strategic diagnostic tool which looks at all parts of an organization, with a view to identifying areas for improvement. The BIR can also be used to measure the effectiveness of organizational … [Read more...] about How to select the appropriate business improvement diagnostic
5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
The PEST or PESTLE analysis is one of the most common diagnostic tools used in marketing and business planning. Its six basic perspectives provide a framework for understanding external factors which may impact the organization, which is easy to follow and yet the tool is so often misunderstood.PESTLE - Political, Economic, Sociological, Ecological, Legal, Environmental.PESTLE provides the external perspective to a SWOT analysis...where: PESTLE + PRIMO-F = SWOT Six simple rules for … [Read more...] about 5 common mistakes in doing a PESTLE analysis
Innovation Index – measuring the unmeasurable or re-inventing the wheel?
Innovation means so many things to so many people, so first we need to have a common understanding of what innovation is.Dr Richard Byrd from the University of Minnesota in the 1960s and 70s undertook some interesting work (see A Personal Guide to Risk Taking Richard E Byrd, AMACOM 1974), which has been further developed by Dr Jacqueline Byrd from a tool that looks at the innovation capacity of individuals to that of teams and organisations (see The Innovation Equation - Byrd & Brown, … [Read more...] about Innovation Index – measuring the unmeasurable or re-inventing the wheel?
History of the SWOT analysis
History of the SWOT Analysis In recent years I have become rather obsessed with the history and origins of the SWOT, along with PESTLE & SMART.As the months have gone on I have identified much of the history of SWOT analysis and found may sites which appear to have credible sources - however when one 'delves deeper' often the data is clouded, indeed whenever I read of a source I attempted to buy the original book - so have amassed a large collection of old management books.For example, … [Read more...] about History of the SWOT analysis
History of the SWOT Analysis (brief) [Originally SOFT Analysis]
A brief history of the SWOT Analysis Model. You may be surprised to learn that it started out being called a SOFT Analysis. Let's follow the journey.In recent years I have become rather obsessed with the origins and the history of the SWOT analysis model, along with PESTLE & SMART.As the months have gone on I have identified much of the History of the SWOT analysis and found may sites which appear to have credible sources – however when one ‘delves deeper’ often the data is clouded, … [Read more...] about History of the SWOT Analysis (brief) [Originally SOFT Analysis]
Excellence in Organizational Development and Diagnostics
Delivering an excellent solution be it for business improvement or organizational development is not just about having an excellent intervention. It is about having an intervention or change plan which is:Linked to the business goal and plan Linked to the current and desired culture of the organizationOften interventions and improvement projects fail due to:Activities not linked to organizational objectives No overall strategy for corporate development Time pressures on … [Read more...] about Excellence in Organizational Development and Diagnostics
