FrontPace | Executive Consulting | SAA and SAA+
SAA and SAA+From alignment in the leadership team to execution across the organisation
Strategy Alignment Analysis™ (SAA) measures and builds the leadership team's alignment on its strategic focus areas. SAA+ is an optional ninth step that turns the same focus areas into a strategic and operational framework, with goals, ownership and action plans. Here you can see what each includes, and what the leadership team gains.
Back to the SAA main pageAlignment becomes cohesionThe team is aligned on the focus areas.
Cohesion becomes executionThe focus areas become goals, ownership and action plans.
SAA+ builds on the outcome of SAA and is not a new analysis.
SAA – what is included in steps 1–8
The process runs from a short questionnaire to a debrief with the team leader. Each team member ranks the focus areas individually, and the results are presented to and worked through with the whole team.
- 1
Initial questionnaire
The team leader receives a short online questionnaire, and we prepare the team for the analysis.
- 2
Teams meeting on focus areas
We discuss the relevant strategic focus areas with the team leader. Short individual interviews are an optional extra.
- 3
Confirmation of focus areas
Within 1–2 days, the team leader receives the proposed focus areas for confirmation.
- 4
Individual input
Each team member ranks the focus areas individually, by a set deadline.
- 5
Written SAA report
A detailed report and an executive summary are sent 3–4 days after the deadline.
- 6
Presentation and workshop
The report is presented to the whole team, and a workshop strengthens alignment and cohesion.
- 7
Summary alignment report
The report confirms the measured alignment and the team's cohesion around the focus areas.
- 8
Debrief and next steps
In a one-to-one meeting with the team leader, we review the process and agree on next steps.
What SAA gives the leadership team
After a completed SAA, the leadership team has far more than a report. Differences that used to hide in long discussions and stalled decisions are now visible and concrete.
A precise picture of alignment
The leadership team sees how aligned it actually is, not just how aligned it believes it is. The alignment index shows where the team stands together and where priorities diverge.
Shared ownership in step 6
In the presentation and workshop, each member sees their own ranking against the group's. Because the differences are quantified, the conversation stays factual rather than personal.
Clarified priorities
The team agrees on what the top priorities mean in practice, how they are weighed against each other and what each member commits to.
From alignment to cohesion
The result is a team that pulls in the same direction and makes sharper decisions. The alignment report and debrief give a reference point for follow-up.
Our experience is that teams in the upper range of the alignment scale are typically high-performing.
SAA+ – what is included in step 9
SAA+ takes 1–2 days with the whole team present. The focus areas are linked upwards to the vision and downwards to goals and action plans. Each level is derived from the one above and has a shorter horizon.
- 1
Vision5–10 years
The future you want to create, phrased so the focus areas can be tested against it.
- 2
Strategic focus areas2–3 years
The focus areas the team aligned on in SAA. You already have this level.
- 3
Goals1 year
The goals to be reached, derived from the focus areas. Each goal gets a named owner.
- 4
Action plan30–90 days
Actions, resources and milestones, drawn up by the owners after the session and followed up in line management.
What SAA+ gives the leadership team
With SAA+, the strategy stops being a document and becomes part of day-to-day operations. The leadership team spends less time debating direction and more time delivering.
Coherence
Vision, focus areas, goals and action plans fit together and sit within the mission, guidelines, leadership philosophy and business model. The focus areas become what the organisation is actually steered by.
Accountability
Every goal has a named owner before the team leaves the room. The findings from SAA become commitments with clear deadlines.
Execution
With 30–90 days as the shortest horizon, progress becomes visible within a quarter, not at the next strategy review.
Traceability
Every action can be traced back to a focus area and on to the vision. Where the trail breaks, you see exactly where.
The result is a leadership team that is not only agreed on what matters most, but also sees that cohesion delivers results.
SAA and SAA+ side by side
SAA+ is optional and builds on the outcome of SAA. One measures and builds alignment; the other turns it into execution.
| SAA · steps 1–8 | SAA+ · step 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| The question | Is the team aligned on the strategic focus areas? | How do the focus areas become results? |
| What is included | Eight steps from questionnaire to debrief, with individual ranking, presentation and workshop | 1–2 days with the whole team: vision, goals, action plans and verification of the framework |
| Deliverables | SAA report, executive summary and summary alignment report | A connected framework from vision to action plan, with named owners |
| Effect | Alignment becomes cohesion | Cohesion becomes execution |
Ready to get started?
Whether you want to map the alignment in your team or connect the focus areas to execution, we are happy to help.
Send us an email to get started, or if you have questions about the process, how it is run or what it covers.