2011 Strategy Management Survey Highlights
Posted April 28, 2011 5:27 PM
by Mark Cutler
In March 2011, Ascendant completed our first ever strategy management survey, the purpose of which was to learn about the management practices of mission-driven organizations. We asked respondents questions such as how well they thought their organizations were performing, what tools they are using to help manage their performance, and what their greatest challenges are.
We solicited survey respondents via press releases, web postings, and emails to our clients and 2011 Mission-Driven Performance Summit attendees. We received 85 responses from a broad mix of sectors including education, government, non-profits, and commercial industry. Most respondents were American based and have been in existence for over 20 years.
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Strategy Review Meetings - by exception
Posted April 27, 2011 11:11 AM
by Ted Jackson
I have been asked about strategy review meetings on a more frequent basis. The most recent one was "Tell me about the best strategy review meeting you have seen. Why was it so good?" It got me thinking that there are multiple ways to conduct a strategy review meeting: Review objectives that are off track, review everything, review by theme, and review just one objective. In this blog, I'll focus on reviewing items that are off track.
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Managing for Performance 2011 Participant's Guide
Posted April 19, 2011 11:48 AM
by Dylan Miyake
A few weeks ago, we hosted "Managing for Performance," which focused on how performance management can help districts optimize the performance of their central office, school zones, and classrooms. Hosted in partnership with the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the District of Columbia Public Schools, the event convened districts from around the country on the critical topic of performance management.
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Pictures from the 2011 Mission Driven Performance Summit
Posted April 6, 2011 11:16 AM
by Dylan Miyake
Our photographer has finished her work and this year's pictures are ready to view!
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Making the Most of Surveys for Measurement Data
Posted April 5, 2011 11:46 AM
by Mark Cutler
The results of a recent online survey Ascendant conducted to learn about the strategy and performance management practices of mission-driven organizations started me thinking about the subjectivity and effectiveness of surveying people as a way for gathering measure data.
As proponents of the Balanced Scorecard method of strategy and performance management, Ascendant helps clients develop measures for tracking their organizations' progress. A large part of this is starting the measurement process as soon as practicable, so we often urge clients to use whatever data they have as soon as they can get it rather than waiting until they can get perfect data for perfect measures. In addition, organizations' that are just ramping up this process may have to rely on subjective survey data to have anything at all to measure in certain areas.
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