Best practices databases

Best practices come at a range of levels, from organizationwide visions to specific operational practices like ITIL.

NDMA works at the higher levels. Specifically, we offer two databases of best practices:

Visionary Expectations Database: a database of vision statements that comprehensively describes exactly what's expected of a world-class business-within-a-business organization.

This database describes best practices at the organizational level -- it defines "world-class" by describing exactly what the organization as a whole must do.

Cultural Principles Database: a database of behavioral principles that comprehensively describe a world-class organizational culture.

This database describes best practices at the individual level -- behaviors everybody must do.

Beyond Best -- Ideal Practices

In both cases, the focus is on ideal practices. Thinking was not constrained by what others are doing today (the lemmings approach to leadership).

While all are practiced somewhere, together they add up to a vision so powerful that no organization can claim to fully "be there." It's a long-term goal, beyond being as good as today's best. Think of it as "best conceivable practices," not "best current practices."

"The nation will find it very hard to look up to the leaders who are keeping their ears to the ground."

Winston Churchill

Best In Whose Eyes?

We don't take credit for the ideas in these two databases.

Their development began with real-life concerns expressed by NDMA's clients. In workshops, leaders crafted practical, actionable principles that would address these concerns.

By having them brainstorm their own ideas before they looked at the databases, participants invented principles that would address their real-life concerns. This maximized relevance. It also maximized creative thinking, since they weren't constrained by what was already there.

Then, the executives in the workshops were given the then-current databases. They used the databases (the work of others) to help them word their ideas, and to consider ideas contributed by others that might also be relevant to their organizations.

With each workshop, new ideas emerged and were added to the databases. And as discussions revealed ambiguities, questions, and objections, the wording of specific principles was refined.

Recently, we've found that the databases have become relatively stable. Each new team of executives adjusts the wording to fit their own organization, but the contents have matured and have stood the test of time.

Thus, the databases are the compilation of the best practices -- and the best vision -- of over a thousand diverse and thoughtful executives in dozens of corporate, government, and not-for-profit organizations over the course of three decades.

Availability

Both databases are available under license from NDMA.

NDMA also offers implementation processes and consulting support to help organizations "walk the talk."

Contact us to discuss pricing and how you might use them.