Guiding Principles
Defining the rules of the game
Guiding principles define how your organisation is designed and how it continues to evolve over time.
They set direction, establish boundaries, and ensure that design decisions across the operating model stay coherent.
While frameworks like SAFe or Lean provide inspiration, every organisation needs its own guiding compass. Principles that fit its culture, strategy, and ambitions.
"A clear set of principles keeps the operating model simple, consistent, and alive."
An organisation can be seen as a system, the operating model is the intentional design of that system. Clear principles guide design choices:
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Keep alignment with the organisation’s vision, strategy, and values.
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Maintain consistency across all functions and levels.
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Enable adaptability without eroding the core design.
Balance stability and adaptability
Core elements of the model remain stable to ensure coherence, while peripheral elements can adapt to evolving needs and opportunities.
These principles draw inspiration from proven sources such as systems thinking, Lean management, agile scaling frameworks (e.g. SAFe), and organisation design disciplines, but are tailored to fit the unique context of the organisation. They are not about prescribing every detail, but about defining the boundaries and priorities that shape a resilient and effective system.
How to use these principles
Use these principles as design guardrails when tailoring your own operating model.
When a decision seems to break a principle, pause and discuss. NB, not to block progress, but to restore coherence.
Curious how these principles could guide your own organisation?
Send us a mail at info@valuevisionary.nl