Enterprise strategy alignment framework

• US 20030212584A1
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David R. Flores
• Original Assignee: David R. Flores
• Inventors: Flores, David R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,346,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0637 Strategic management or analysis, e.g. setting a goal or target of an organisation; Planning actions based on goals; Analysis or evaluation of effectiveness of goals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

An enterprise strategy management system includes a first software module adapted to formulate a strategy description based on an assessment of environmental data, a second software module adapted to align the strategy description with available enterprise resources and deploy strategy implementation responsibilities, and a third software module adapted to measure the execution of the strategy and identify opportunities to optimize strategic performance. The first, second and third software modules are adapted to implement a continuous strategy management cycle, and may be executed in any order. In one embodiment, the first software module is an STRATEGY FORMULATION module, the second software module is an STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module and the third module is an STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module. The STRATEGY FORMULATION module includes software components for assessing environmental data, formulating and analyzing strategic alternatives and determining and approving a final, multi-level strategy description. The STRATEGY ALIGNMENT module includes software components for aligning strategy components, describing and aligning operational strategy components, planning projects, initiatives and performance metrics activity, and deploying implementation responsibilities. The STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION module includes software components for activating the launch of activities, implementing and measuring the execution of strategy and performance results, and identifying the opportunities to optimize strategic performance.

Claims

1. In an enterprise strategy management system, a strategy alignment framework comprising:

a first set of strategic elements having a first type;

a second set of strategic elements having a second type; and

an alignment matrix having a plurality of intersecting rows and columns, each row having a corresponding strategic element of the first type and each column having a corresponding strategic element of the second type,

wherein a box is formed at the intersection of each row and column, each box providing a graphical representation of a relationship between the corresponding strategic element of the first type and the corresponding strategic element of the second type.

2. The strategy alignment framework of claim 1 wherein the first type of strategic element includes strategy thrusts and the second type of strategic element includes performance metrics, wherein the graphical representations define an alignment of strategic thrusts and performance metrics.

3. The strategy alignment framework of claim 1 wherein the first type of strategic element includes strategy thrusts and the second type of strategic element includes value creation platforms, wherein the graphical representations define an alignment of strategic thrusts and value creation platforms.

4. The strategy alignment framework of claim 1 wherein the first type of strategic element includes strategic initiatives and the second type of strategic element includes value creation platforms, wherein the graphical representations define an alignment of strategic initiatives and value creation platforms.

5. The strategy alignment framework of claim 1 wherein the first type of strategic element includes strategic initiatives and the second type of strategic element includes performance metrics, wherein the graphical representations define an alignment of strategic initiatives and performance metrics.

6. The strategy alignment framework of claim 1 wherein the first type of strategic element includes strategic initiatives and the second type of strategic element includes leadership roles, wherein the graphical representations define an alignment of strategic initiatives and leadership roles.

7. In an enterprise strategy management system, an enterprise strategy alignment comprising:

a hierarchy of alignment frameworks, each including a first plurality of alignment matrices, each alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of an alignment status between two sets of strategic elements.

8. The strategy alignment framework of claim 7 wherein the first plurality of alignment matrices includes:

a first alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of the alignment status between a set of strategic goals and a set of performance metrics;

a second alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of the alignment status between the set of strategic goals and a set of value creation platforms;

a third alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of the alignment status between the set of performance metrics and strategic initiatives;

a fourth alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of the alignment status between the set of value platforms and the set of strategic initiatives; and

a fifth alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of the alignment status between the set of strategic initiatives and a set of leadership roles.

9. The operations alignment of claim 7 further comprising:

an operations-level strategy alignment framework including a second plurality of alignment matrices, each providing a graphical representation of an alignment status between two sets of operations elements, wherein the operations elements include a subset of the strategic elements.

10. The strategy alignment of claim 9 further comprising:

an intermediate-level strategy alignment framework including a third plurality of alignment matrices, each providing a graphical representation of an alignment status between two sets of intermediate-level strategic elements, wherein the intermediate-level strategic elements include a subset of the strategic elements.

11. An enterprise strategy management system comprising:

a multi-level enterprise strategy alignment framework including an enterprise-level strategy alignment framework, an operations-level alignment framework and at least one intermediate-level strategy alignment framework, each strategy alignment framework including a plurality of alignment matrices, each alignment matrix providing a graphical representation of an alignment status between two sets of elements,

wherein the intermediate-level strategy alignment framework links the enterprise-level elements to the operations-level elements.

12. The enterprise strategy management system of claim 11 further comprising:

a strategy formulation engine adapted to produce a strategic plan for the enterprise, the strategic plan including a set of strategy thrusts for achieving a strategic direction of the enterprise,

wherein the enterprise-level elements includes the set of strategy thrusts.