Woodburn Mann's approach to an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

Over the past twenty-five years Woodburn Mann (Pty) Limited has developed and honed a methodology to assess the strategy, structure and management capability of an organisation. We have successfully undertaken a wide range of strategic appraisals, for major South African organisations, as well as for multinational companies, not only in South Africa, but also in Europe, Australia and South America.

Objectives of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

The objectives of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal vary from company to company but could include some or all of the following:

• An analysis of an organisation’s strategic plans
• An assessment of the suitability of the current organisational structure and proposals for alternative structures to better meet current and future internal and external market needs
• An examination of the current strengths, weaknesses and the organisational and functional problems, morale and culture of the company as perceived by the Executive Directors/Members of the Executive Committee. Soliciting proposed solutions to problems
• A subjective assessment of the quality and potential of the current Executive Directors/ Members of the Executive Committee
• Determining each director's/manager’s perception of him/herself, his/her personal development needs within his current position, as well as his/her short, medium and long-term career aspirations
• Using  the information gathered to determine the adequacy of the present management team, what individual development needs exist and what changes need to be made to ensure that a clearly defined succession plan may be prepared to meet future strategic needs of the business
• Identifying ancillary strategic and other issues which may arise and upon which conclusions and recommendations would be made.

Elements of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

• An Holistic Strategic Appraisal may best be described as encompassing all of the key decision-making elements of an organisation from strategy, structure and culture through to the suitability of the management concerned with these issues. Such an appraisal involves all of the elements described under Objectives above plus an in-depth assessment of the organisation's strategic plans as well as the suitability of its organisational structure.
• During formal interviews with each Executive Director/Member of the Executive Committee, the individuals are encouraged to provide their views and perceptions on the suitability or otherwise of the company's strategic plans, its organisational structure, its leadership, its culture and any other issues that they feel are relevant to the discussion. Based on an analysis of these perceptions it then becomes possible to identify problems of a strategic nature as well as the suitability of the current structure and the problems encountered on a daily basis with the lines of communication within the organisation.

Benefits of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

An Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal should lead to major improvements in the strategy, structure and managerial effectiveness of an organisation and the resulting cost savings of reducing lines of communication and improving efficiencies in the use of manpower.

Woodburn Mann's approach to an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

Over the past twenty-five years Woodburn Mann (Pty) Limited has developed and honed a methodology to assess the strategy, structure and management capability of an organisation. We have successfully undertaken a wide range of strategic appraisals, for major South African organisations, as well as for multinational companies, not only in South Africa, but also in Europe, Australia and South America.

Objectives of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

The objectives of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal vary from company to company but could include some or all of the following:

• An analysis of an organisation’s strategic plans
• An assessment of the suitability of the current organisational structure and proposals for alternative structures to better meet current and future internal and external market needs
• An examination of the current strengths, weaknesses and the organisational and functional problems, morale and culture of the company as perceived by the Executive Directors/Members of the Executive Committee. Soliciting proposed solutions to problems
• A subjective assessment of the quality and potential of the current Executive Directors/ Members of the Executive Committee
• Determining each director's/manager’s perception of him/herself, his/her personal development needs within his current position, as well as his/her short, medium and long-term career aspirations
• Using  the information gathered to determine the adequacy of the present management team, what individual development needs exist and what changes need to be made to ensure that a clearly defined succession plan may be prepared to meet future strategic needs of the business
• Identifying ancillary strategic and other issues which may arise and upon which conclusions and recommendations would be made.

Elements of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

• An Holistic Strategic Appraisal may best be described as encompassing all of the key decision-making elements of an organisation from strategy, structure and culture through to the suitability of the management concerned with these issues. Such an appraisal involves all of the elements described under Objectives above plus an in-depth assessment of the organisation's strategic plans as well as the suitability of its organisational structure.
• During formal interviews with each Executive Director/Member of the Executive Committee, the individuals are encouraged to provide their views and perceptions on the suitability or otherwise of the company's strategic plans, its organisational structure, its leadership, its culture and any other issues that they feel are relevant to the discussion. Based on an analysis of these perceptions it then becomes possible to identify problems of a strategic nature as well as the suitability of the current structure and the problems encountered on a daily basis with the lines of communication within the organisation.

Benefits of an Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal

An Holistic Organisational Strategic Appraisal should lead to major improvements in the strategy, structure and managerial effectiveness of an organisation and the resulting cost savings of reducing lines of communication and improving efficiencies in the use of manpower.