Life in a Matrix - Alignment & New Blog

Author: Kevan Hall

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Alignment of objectives is a challenge in complex companies. Different function, region, local and global objectives can leave people feeling pulled in different directions.

Without alignment, we can waste a lot of effort trying to solve conflicting priorities.

Probably the most used tool for alignment of accountabilities is RASCI where we identify for a given task area who is responsible, supporting, consulted and informed.

In a complex, often matrixed, environment RASCI has some problems and needs to be adapted. We have adapted it to AeRSCi because

Accountabilities can be shared so we need a mechanism to resolve conflicts at this level

People have many Responsibilities to do work but may not have time

Too many people want to be Consulted so we have to minimize these to people who add value to the process

The Supportive may not be - often they may feel they should have more power in the process,

The Informed want to be involved - we have to be clear what level of involvement is necessary and specific the roles clearly - informed means we are telling you what is happening, not asking for approval.

There is an old story about the different roles of the pig and the chicken in a traditional English bacon and egg breakfast. The chicken is involved but the pig is committed. In a matrix, it is too easy to be involved without commitment and this often slows things down.

The pace of change in many of our clients is such that by the time you are fully aligned on objectives the world has already changed. We are finding that aligning at the level of broad accountabilities may be the best we can manage.

The other reality is that complete alignment is rarely possible and can be counter-productive - the matrix trades clarity for flexibility.

In these areas, the ability to reconcile dilemmas is key and the search for fixed answers largely futile.

Good luck - do it quickly

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Last updated: 05/02/08 12:25pm