OPTIMUS SBR CHOICE TOOLS. PRECISION AIM. BOLD ATTITUDE. Aligning your organization to a common vision means moving forward in the right direction. Does your organization know where it is going? AFS Accountability Framework System
WHO WE ARE OPTIMUS SBR is a management consulting firm focused on supporting executive leaders and their organizations in solving problems, facilitating change and optimizing performance. Since 1979, we have provided leading firms across North America with advisory services customized to address unique needs, including strategy and leadership development, process and implementation planning, and project management. OUR CAPABILITIES Management Consulting Resource Augmentation ABOUT US Strategy Process Improvement Project Management Research & Analytics Governance & Executive Leadership can only be achieved when vision and goals are realized by aligning dedication and hard work. A captain can chart a course, but requires the effort of the deckhands to move the ship along the chosen path. The productivity of an organization and ultimately its bottom line are dependent on employees performing at their full potential. OPTIMUS SBR s proven Accountability Framework System aligns vision with front line work effort to bring employees on board with their senior leadership team. For over 30 years, OPTIMUS SBR has successfully implemented the Accountability Framework System in both the private and public sectors by engaging people at all levels throughout the organization to deliver immediate results. OUR VALUES How we do things is just as important as what we do. Our consultants behave and are assessed in accordance to our value system: PRACTICE AREAS Teamwork Integrity Passion Initiative Leadership Our strategy experience spans across our key practice areas: Financial Services Energy & Infrastructure Health Care & Not-for-Profit Government & Agencies Service Offerings 1 Accountability Framework System 2
How Important Are Alignment and Accountability? An organization s productivity and ultimately its profitability are fully dependent on employees performing at their full potential. Studies show a dramatic increase in both employee and organizational performance when the goals of the employee are closely tied to the company s overall strategy. Unfortunately most organizations have not realized this. Fewer than 10 percent of employees reported that they understood their company s strategy. Clearly, employees who do not understand the strategy cannot link their daily activities to its successful execution. Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton, "The Execution Premium: Linking Strategies to Operations for Competitive Advantage", Harvard Business School Publishing, 2008 Individual and organizational objectives that are connected to a common vision create strategies that are more successful than the sum of their parts. The Accountability Framework System is a distinctive tool for organizational strategy that is easy to implement, builds on the organization s existing work, and is complementary to existing initiatives. It is easily communicated, engaging people at all levels throughout the organization, and delivers immediate results. It is a proven approach that has been successfully implemented in organizations in both the private and public sectors for over 30 years. THE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK SYSTEM A FAST AND PROVEN APPROACH Easy to implement Easily communicated Builds on your existing work Complementary to existing initiatives Inclusive & engaging Delivers immediate results HIGH-PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONS is dependent on many different elements of organizational strategy and execution. THE 5 KEY ATTRIBUTES Clarity of vision Shared goals, objectives & strategies Aligned accountabilities Agreed values External focus & internal alignment Most organizations have these five key attributes. However, few organizations are able to successfully integrate all five at the same time. You may have a great strategy, but if you are unable to effectively communicate it, it doesn t matter. The Accountability Framework System can help. Most organizations Have a vision Build strategies Measure organizational performance Set objectives State values Have performance management systems But few organizations Where are we going? How do we get there? Who does what? How should we behave? How do we stay on track? Have a compelling vision Build easily understood strategies Consistently measure the right things Set objectives aligned to strategy Measure behaviours that support values Have effective goal setting and performance management Service Offerings 3 Accountability Framework System 4
The Challenge High above the surface, the balloon can see beyond the impending obstacles to the clear water ahead. It can see that turning left instead of right will lead to a dead end, and knows the best path to take in order to reach the other side. It communicates this goal, supporting accountabilities and the best path forward down the line to the boat below. The boat controls the movement needed to reach the open water, but does not have the vision to see beyond the rocks, and doesn t know that turning left will lead to a dead end. The boat knows that it can trust the balloon to safely guide them both through the maze because it knows the goal, its accountabilities, and has a clear understanding of the best way to get there. If you think of your leadership team as the balloon, and your employees as the boat, the metaphor becomes even more clear. Employees will only buy into a vision, goals, values, and accountabilities if those messages have been communicated effectively by the leadership team. The balloon cannot go anywhere without the boat taking them there, and the boat will crash into the rocks if the navigation is confusing. EXPLORING THE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK SYSTEM The Accountability Framework System is a trademarked, top-down, organizational strategy framework, designed to create high-performing organizations through a simple, proven method for aligning staff with the goals and objectives of your organization. It provides an easily communicated context that links individual accountabilities to your corporate or team vision. In short, it translates vision into reality by bridging the gap between strategy and execution. Our team focuses on developing a tangible, usable end-product with a low touch process that: Integrates the elements key to organizational success Sets the strategy and builds a context for improved communication Details individual accountabilities and the linkage to organizational success Drives an understanding of shared accountabilities WHO CAN BENEFIT? The Accountability Framework System can benefit any organization that is looking to revisit their strategy due to: Changes in leadership A recent merger or acquisition Nearing the end of their current strategic plan Maturity of the organization An increase in funding or budgetary spending A change in government policy direction Or can benefit any organization that is looking to: Get clarity on their vision Ensure that the right things are being measured the right way Get a clear sense of objectives and the ability to effectively prioritize activities to achieve those objectives Engage employees to become more productive by aligning effort and accountability Develop their organization to be more successful, efficient and effective Service Offerings 5 Accountability Framework System 6
METHODOLOGY The Accountability Framework System uses five proven steps to facilitate total and measurable strategy implementation and alignment with all business areas and team members moving in the same direction. These steps include: 1. Accountability Framework 2. Strategic Action Plan 3. Role Maps 4. Corporate Scorecard 5. Individual Contribution Assessment Using the input of your leadership team, this is a complete system for organizational strategy implementation and measurement. Our proven system builds engagement at all levels in the organization and ensures buy-in at each step. Each step feeds into the next, allowing you to see the progress as it unfolds. Together we can build a unique, tested, and proven Accountability Framework System to help you align your organization to a common vision, create an environment where everyone can contribute to your goals, and let natural leaders propel your organization forward. THE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK THE GOAL VISION VALUES ORGANIZATION INDIVIDUALS STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN ACTIONS DEFINED ROLE MAPS PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE CORPORATE SCORECARD MEASURING RESULTS INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT TRACKING RESULTS HOW TO DETERMINE SUCCESS Service Offerings 7 Accountability Framework System 8
1. BUILDING THE ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK 2. DEVELOPING THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN The Accountability Framework is a complete framework for strategy implementation based on the input of your leadership team, unique to your organization. This stage is crucial as the Framework sets the foundation that supports and informs the subsequent stages of the Accountability Framework System. Through a series of facilitated sessions, we begin by defining your vision, the centerpiece of the Framework, and surround it with the five s needed to achieve that vision. The Accountability Framework rests on a base of value based behaviours that must be demonstrated by everyone in the organization to achieve the vision. The Framework will allow you to speak directly to, and connect with, every individual in your organization through a clearly stated vision and the alignment of key values. The next step is to build a plan to track and measure all s for the next three years. The Strategic Action Plan provides a simple method of linking strategic direction, priorities and measures into one model, based on your Accountability Framework. For each Accountability Framework it defines outcomes, objectives and performance indicators across the organization. The Strategic Action Plan acts as a project management tool for the entire organization. This tool can be updated as projects are completed, new ones are added, or projects are stopped. The Strategic Action Plan can help an organization answer the following questions: What s are overloaded with effort or are being minimally addressed? Are these the only projects going on, or have we missed some? Are these the right projects to meet the organization's goals? How are the projects being tracked? Do we have a process in place to stop projects that no longer make sense? THE VISION ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK The Vision A straightforward context to drive alignment. A simple vision that informs & inspires Surrounded by s that sort strategies & actions On a base of values that define desired behaviour. Typically developed with the senior team in a single three to four hour session. VISION VALUES The Accountability Framework clarifies direction, names vision along with s on a foundation of values. STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN Actions Defined A simple high-level Action Plan that defines the key projects. Aligned to the Accountability Framework Sorts actions by s Drives the Corporate Scorecard Drives senior staff objectives Typically developed in two half-day sessions with the senior team. Vision for each Objectives and measures Each in the Accountability Framework has defined outcomes in the Strategic Action Plan. ACTIONS DEFINED Service Offerings 9 Accountability Framework System 10
PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES 3. ALIGNING INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITIES BUILDING ROLE MAPS Based on the Accountability Framework, we work with individuals and groups to develop clear roles and accountabilities using a process called Role Mapping. Every role has a specific Role Map and collectively, they enable everyone to align their individual efforts, creating an aligned organization where everyone contributes to achieving the vision. Role Mapping bridges the gap between a job description, which details functional tasks and responsibilities, and the Accountability Framework s. Role Mapping is a process for: Defining how all roles within the organization contribute to each success factor Aligning everyone s performance with the vision and mission of the organization Helping everyone focus on the major accountabilities of their position Affirming each employee s contribution to the organization ROLE MAPS ROLE MAPS Personal Accountabilities Link roles to vision & s. Engages everyone with the Accountability Framework Clearly communicates leadership expectations Asks people to define their role in the success of your organization Typically developed in small group meetings for individuals & groups. Drive objective setting at all levels in your organization The Role Maps define and illustrate the accountabilities of individual roles and their contribution to achieving the Vision. 4. MEASURING ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS THE CORPORATE SCORECARD CORPORATE SCORECARD CORPORATE SCORECARD Measuring Results The Corporate Scorecard graphically illustrates organizational success against each. The Corporate Scorecard, also known as a Balanced Scorecard, provides a standardized, organization-wide performance measurement methodology with a common set of key metrics across all functions, balanced around the Accountability Framework s. It combines all success measures within a single concise Excel-based report. This report is not meant to replace traditional financial or operational reports it is a succinct summary that captures the information most relevant to achieving the vision. 5. TRACKING PERFORMANCE THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT The Individual Contribution Assessment is used as a performance management and coaching tool that aligns individual performance objective setting throughout the organization. It combines the key components of performance (results and behaviours) and provides a base for feedback, coaching, development and evaluation. The Individual Contribution Assessment is critical to integrating personal performance with vision and strategy and can be used to enhance your existing performance management system or as a stand-alone solution. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTION ASSESSMENT Tracking Results EDUCATE The Individual Contribution Assessment measures results and behaviours and is a tool for coaching and development. MEASURING & TRACKING RESULTS Service Offerings 11 Accountability Framework System 12
BENEFITS The benefits of the Accountability Framework System are clear. It will enable you to deliver on your strategy by: Providing clarity to your organization's Vision Driving alignment of strategy implementation with your Vision Creating impact immediately, and in the long-term Ensuring accountability across the entire organization Building engagement to achieve results Aside from the inherent benefits of gaining alignment and clarifying direction throughout an organization, the Accountability Framework System offers a variety of additional benefits. They include: Improved lines of communication Reduced overlap and duplication of effort Defined, detailed accountabilities for each role within your organization A well-balanced suite of projects, aligned with each Standardized, organization-wide performance management THE BOTTOM LINE Nautical navigation, like business, requires thoughtful leadership, skilled workers and the ability to successfully navigate through murky waters. Our proven Accountability Framework System utilizes the power of alignment where all personal objectives in the organization are aligned towards achieving common results. This means you get a comprehensive organizational strategy framework that will propel your organization to the next level. The right way. Service Offerings 13 Accountability Framework System 14
CHOICE TOOLS. PRECISION AIM. BOLD ATTITUDE. 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 600 Toronto, ON M5C 3G8 info@optimussbr.com 416-649-6000 www.optimussbr.com