Approach – Measures of Success

Approach

Whether for a short-term project such as a meeting facilitation or a longer-term engagement such as organizational design, inclusion, or leadership programs, we consider success when we can answer yes to the following questions:

1. Were the short-term and long-term goals achieved?

We rigorously identify desired outcomes so that together consultants and clients can steer to success.

2. What was accomplished that was unexpected?

Change processes often address needs that were unknown or not prioritized.

3. Is the solution sustainable?

Solutions should be durable and comfortably maintained.

4. Have people learned?

How to address similar issues in the future? Can the client generalize the solution to future situations?
(organizational capacity)
How to work together effectively to create solutions to other issues? (process knowledge and skill)
About their own strengths, needs, and capacity to contribute to solutions in the future? (individual capacity)
About the particulars that created the original challenge and ways to avoid it or ways to create new direction?
(content and context knowledge)

5. Is the organization more capable of living out its mission? (alignment)

6. Did we work together well?

The relationship between consultant and client is another learning opportunity for both to learn how to work together effectively.

7. Do you have hopes [for yourself, team, organization] as you move forward? What, if any, new needs are apparent?

Our project may be over but life continues into a new chapter influenced by the one just concluded.

8. You have identified next steps you might take, and the resources available to you to help you begin these next steps?

And the reflection that such questions require helps change stick.