SP/Solve™

SchellingPoint’s SP/Solve™ is a web-based business tool for identifying and removing the barriers to excellence in business execution. Take barriers and translate them into action and innovation.

Problem	Strategies, plans and decisions don’t always produce their intended outcome. Underachievement, un-addressed ‘elephants in the room’, recovery activities and course adjustments can erode most if not all of the desired return-on-investment. The implementation stage of any decision is difficult. Even before action is taken, issues and barriers produce ‘restraining forces’ that oppose the incentives, organization and structure applied to advance an initiative. These barriers come in the form of ... Conflicts with the motivations, experiences, and incentives of those required to act Inconsistent views of the problem and the solution Lack of support within current processes Uncertainty as to how to implement the details In many business cultures, expressing negative opinions is difficult. “Don’t bring me a problem, bring me a solution” leaves barriers unstated. Managers want ‘open’ conversation, but peers and reports experience tacit limits. Often, much of what is unsaid surrounds the restraints to successful outcomes. What is required is a way to ... Constructively surface and remove inaccurate inferences, judgments, and concerns about the subject at hand Acknowledge all valid issues and concerns, and translate them into actionable goals Be able to do so at the pace of modern business - in minutes and hours, not days, weeks, or months later Every strategy, plan or decision is a candidate for SP/Solve™. SP/Solve™ is a tool for inventing detailed adjustments to the process, structure, and organization required to implement change and daily business decisions. The solutions are designed by the parties directly affected by the issue. Often the solutions are within the scope of current operations, although the process frequently leads to innovations not previously conceived. SP/Solve™ is a business tool for providing swift identification of and resolution to the barriers to agreement and successful action.
Approach	A key to SP/Solve™ is accessibility. The SP/Solve™ tool invites participation from two to an unlimited number of team members. The online configuration permits organization-wide participation, by username, or anonymously. Once established, the SP/Solve™ Worksheet allows individuals to enter and adjust their issues, barriers, and requirements concurrently, with constant notification of new and altered items made by other participants. Each issue, requirement or solution is automatically aligned and coupled with its relevant points. Testing how suitable the solution is for the documented issues and barriers is easy and direct. Adjustments to the requirement and development of solutions in parallel with the identification of additional issues make for a rapid iterative process.
Features	Straightforward three-step process Issue capture Issue transposition Targeted solution design Web-accessible software application available 24/7 Guaranteed privacy and anonymity where desired Collaborative Design can be accomplished in minutes to hours Applies internally within and across divisions and departments Can be used jointly with customers, partners, and other key relationships
Benefits	Breaks down resistance to action Leverages the restraints in order to optimize the outcomes Transforms discord and contention into agreement and planned actions Provides those responsible for leading strategy and decisions with a new level of insight and control over their activities Offers those responsible for carrying out implementation a constructive mechanism for acknowledging and eradicating issues and barriers
ROI	Avoids the increased cost of addressing deferred issues and barriers Rapidly translates negatives into innovations Efficiently and effectively engages all parties through web-based activities Elevated confidence in the direction and timeline through a deeper understanding of the implementation journey
Applications	SP/Solve™ applies at the beginning of an initiative whenever ... Progress is required in change-resistant environments People are uncomfortable expressing or sharing their concerns Silent forms of resistance will inhibit progress During a project or effort SP/Solve™ should be used when ... A breakthrough mechanism is needed to remove a bottleneck A situation appears unsolvable due to insurmountable barriers Complicated issues or barriers hold back progress If progress has stalled or results are lackluster, SP/Solve™ can be used when ... Recovery is required where previous attempts have failed Reasons for lack of action remain unclear
Intended For:	Program, project, team, and departmental managers responsible for maximizing positive outcomes from business strategies, plans and decisions.