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Execution Excellence

Article  in  Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management · June 2009

DOI: 10.1007/bf03396556

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Professor Sushil
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
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Global Journal of
Editorial Flexible Systems Management
2009, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp iii

Execution Excellence

Effectiveness of strategy Effectiveness of strategy depends both on the formulation and execution. Though multiple
depends both on the frameworks are available for strategy formulation, the emphasis on the execution is lacking.
formulation and execution
There is a need to develop empirically validated models of execution excellence. Excellence
in execution would depend on the integration of strategy and operations in a cyclic manner.
The proposed model The proposed model of execution excellence is built upon four core processes of execution,
incorporates four core viz. Align, Automate, Act and Adapt. Out of these, align and adapt are usually not developed
processes of execution, viz.
Align, Automate, Act and in a variety of organizations. The maximum emphasis in modern organizations is placed on
Adapt automation of processes and systems.
The strategy is to be aligned The first key process in the execution cycle is ‘align’; aligning the strategy with people,
with people, processes, processes, technology, units, operations, policies/operating procedures, budgets and best
technology, units,
operations, policies, budgets practices. In order to effectively execute the strategy, it needs to be properly communicated
and best practices and aligned with people, process and capabilities. The business and its support units are
supposed to be aligned with the corporate vision and strategy so accordingly the functional
policies and operating procedures should be formulated. For example, in order to support the
strategy of innovation 3M follows the HR policy of 15% rule, i.e. 15 per cent of the time of
the week employees are free to contribute to any innovative project. Finally, budgets/resources
need to be allocated to facilitate execution of strategy.
The ‘automate’ function Once the strategic and operational plans are aligned, it would be efficient and error free
requires clear definition of with suitable level of automation of processes, plans, performance management systems, support
plans and performance
management systems
systems, information systems/controls, analytics and knowledge base across the value network
of the organization. For example, strategic plans in the form of Balanced Scorecards and
operational plans in the form of Dashboards can be put to automation. The ‘automate’ function
requires clear definition of plans and performance management systems. This should be
accompanied with reengineering of business processes and application of a lot of analytics
and knowledge management. Dell’s case is a benchmark example of effective automation by
virtually integrating all functions in marketing and logistics.
The central pillar of Another concern for execution is at the level of actors, i.e. ‘act’. This involves achievement
execution is leadership
of targets through execution leadership, performance culture and ethics, assigning right people
supported by a work
culture of performance in right place, innovation, review, rewards /motivational practices and incorporating reflection.
through ethics The central pillar of execution is leadership supported by a work culture of performance
through ethics. The leader is supposed to assign the fit of the job with the people with suitable
rewards. The reviews are to be carried out both at the strategic and operational levels and the
learning is to be enmeshed with the emergent strategy.
The last phase of the The last phase of the execution cycle is in terms of ‘adapt’ as per the insights and the
execution cycle is in terms
of ‘adapt’ as per the changing situation. This would involve: adapt the targets, modify strategy, reformulate strategic
insights and the changing plan, redefine operational plan, reassess capabilities and changing culture. This would bring
situation flexibility in strategy formulation and its execution as per the changing situation and new
emergence in the business scenario.
All the elements of All the elements of execution excellence are supposed to affect various dimensions of
execution excellence are
supposed to affect various
enterprise performance, such as financial, customer, business process, and learning and growth.
dimensions of enterprise Higher the functions of execution excellence, viz. align, automate, act and adapt, higher is
performance expected to be the enterprise performance.

Sushil
Editor-in-Chief

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