Governance that Mobilizes

Lay Your Foundation
We know that the governance structure assigns authority and responsibility to the different levels within the organization.  It provides a clear system for reporting and performance management.  The structure is not strategic but rather foundational.  The challenge – how do we develop a governance framework that supports our current existence while ensuring our future relevance?

Within the vertical structure each element requires clear definition in terms of roles and responsibilities, allowing for the development of performance accords for everyone working in the organization based on annual targets and expectations. The vertical structure (top/down, bottom/up) is a good method for maintaining coherence within an organization and supporting current cash flow activities.  

What Goes Up Must Go Sideways
However, the vertical structure is not effective at developing innovative new methods or approaches or allowing for the reflection of what "could be".  Specifically, vertical hierarchy  is populated with authority and "just get it done" attitudes.  As such organizations need an alternative option for engaging in advancing activities.

Advancement teams can be mobilized and employed in the horizontal structure for the examination of strategic and/or operational initiatives or practices that advance the organization.  These advancement teams explore profit, people, process and position-related challenges/opportunities and are populated with various organizational  participants who carry no "rank".  The elimination of hierarchy allows everyone to participate in problem solving or problem finding initiatives in a collaborative and insightful manner without the fear or reproach and thus leveraging the overall intellectual assets and insights of the organization. 

The challenge is to assure that the governance structure does not become rigid or territorial, serving personal or individual section preferences over those that achieve overall corporate success.



SM Solutions' methodology and defined frameworks boost your organization in achieving a functional Governance framework that will help you to achieve your triple bottom line.

  • Designing a meaningful governance framework that aligns with your strategy
  • Developing a clear vertical and horizontal structure
  • Mobilizing advancement teams and how we integrate their insights
  • Position profiling versus position descriptions
  • Planning, measuring and reporting, and establishing the performance management system

For more detail on Leadership & Management Frameworks, download to read the  brief.
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Let's meet, let's talk. Phone 306-530-6566 or email carl@sustainablemanagement.ca