Approaches for increasing consistency in decision making

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Consistency internally between different parts of the business as well as overtime is important for organizational success. Without internal consistency, the different parts of the business are not aligned with one another, and without dynamic consistency over time, the decisions of the firm do not reinforce one another. Yet it is one thing recognizing that consistency is important, and another in actually achieving the consistency. This article explores practical approaches for increasing internal and dynamic consistency.

Approaches for increasing internal and dynamic consistency

Setting a strategy

The first component in achieving strategic consistency is actually setting a strategy for the firm. It may sound self-evident, but if the company does not actually have a strategy, it is hard to ensure that the different parts of the business are actually aligned with one another. The strategy is the key component that sets the direction of the business – helping to ensure that all parts of the firm are aligned in the same direction.

Communicating that strategy in the firm

Beyond developing a strategy, it is also important that this strategy is communicated within the firm. Having a strategy, and yet not communicating it with others defeats one of the key objectives of strategy – ensuring that everyone knows how they should be behaving. Ensuring that all key decision-makers understand the strategy can help ensure that their independent decision are in-keeping with one another. 

Communicating company values and reinforcing key elements of the strategy through a company culture​

While sharing the strategy can be useful in getting managers to make key decisions in line with the company’s objective, it is less useful at the employee level in determining more day-to-day activities and prioritization. Communicating clear company values can ensure that lower employees understand how they should be behaving – helping build a culture that is in line with the overall strategy of the firm. 

Brining management and employees together to help ensure alignment between departments

A final component of achieving consistency is a bringing managers and employees together. Silos can occur within firms with different divisions not communicating with one another. It is hard to achieve internal consistency if divisions are not in communication with one another. Monthly or weekly meetings help reduce these silos – getting everyone on the same page to facilitate decisions that reinforce one another. 

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