The Challenge
How does an organization motivate a diverse membership in the same direction? Without a shared direction, sub-factions can unintentionally or intentionally work against each other.
Organizational Strategy and Direction
A multi-step framework for aligning a diverse organization around shared priorities by debating and ordering problems first, then designing solutions against measurable outcomes.
Collect Epic Problems
Build Problem Research Library
Prioritize Epic Problems
Measure Epic Problems
Critical Warning
Debate can continue endlessly. To move forward, define a strategy line in the sand: switch from debate to implementation for the next three months, then revisit direction at the next strategy event.
The Problem with Old Models
Traditional hierarchical systems built compliance with power and coercion. Even with checks and balances, power-first direction-setting has produced many social and organizational failures.
The Antidote
Shift from solution arguments to problem definition. Leadership names and researches major problems, then coaches members to design solutions. Prioritization reduces the risk that solving one issue worsens another.
Core Workflow
- Collect Epic Problems: Participants submit pure problem statements with solution language removed.
- Build Research Library: Curate short presentations and rebuttals linked to each proposal for common evidence access.
- Prioritize Epic Problems: Run structured rounds, debate, and voting to produce an ordered list.
- Define Metrics: Data teams create measurable success and failure ranges for each prioritized problem.