Benefits of combining OGSM and Obeya

What are OGSM and Obeya?

What are OGSM and Obeya? OGSM and Obeya are two powerful concepts that help organizations to set their goals and achieve them effectively. OGSM, which stands for Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures, is a strategic planning framework that allows companies to turn their vision into concrete, measurable goals. Obeya, which means “big room” in Japanese, is a visual management method that helps teams oversee and manage complex projects.

OGSM offers a structured approach for clearly defining and communicating an organization's strategy. It helps leaders focus and set priorities. Obeya creates a physical or digital space where all relevant information about projects and achievements is visually displayed. This promotes transparency, collaboration and rapid decision-making. Together, these methods are a powerful combination for organizations that strive for excellence in strategic execution.

How do OGSM and Obeya work together?

The synergy between OGSM and Obeya is where the real magic happens. OGSM provides the content — the strategic direction and objectives — while Obeya provides the context in which this strategy comes to life. In an Obeya room, the elements of the OGSM plan are displayed visually, often on large boards or digital screens. This makes the strategy tangible and accessible to the entire team.

By implementing OGSM in an Obeya environment, the strategy becomes a living document that is continuously updated and discussed. Teams can see at a glance how their daily activities contribute to the overarching goals. This transparency encourages engagement and ownership at all levels of the organization. In addition, the Obeya room facilitates regular stand-ups and reviews, making implementing the OGSM strategy a dynamic and interactive process.

Practical application of OGSM in an Obeya environment

To effectively implement OGSM within an Obeya space, start by creating a central visualization of your OGSM plan. This can be a large board with the Objective at the top, followed by the Goals, Strategies, and Measures. Use different colors and sizes to differentiate between the elements. In addition to this overview, you can assign specific sections to each strategic initiative, where teams can track progress and identify obstacles.

Benefits of combining OGSM and Obeya

The integration of OGSM and Obeya offers organizations a range of benefits. First of all, it provides unprecedented clarity in communication. Complex strategies are translated into visual, understandable formats that are accessible to everyone. This leads to better alignment within the organization and a shared understanding of the strategic direction.

In addition, this combination significantly speeds up decision-making. By having all relevant information centrally and visually available, teams can quickly respond to changes and identify opportunities. The transparency that Obeya offers, linked to the structure of OGSM, creates a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. Teams immediately see the impact of their work on the larger goals, leading to increased motivation and efficiency in implementing the strategy.

Challenges in implementing OGSM and Obeya

Although the combination of OGSM and Obeya is powerful, organizations often encounter implementation obstacles. One common challenge is resistance to change. Employees may be reluctant to change how they work or feel uncomfortable with the increased transparency that Obeya brings. To overcome this, it is crucial to focus on change management and clear communication about the benefits of this approach from the start.

Another challenge lies in keeping the information in the Obeya space consistent. It takes discipline and dedication from the entire team to keep the visualizations up to date and regularly use them for decision-making. A practical solution for this is to appoint “Obeya-Champions” within each team, who are responsible for maintaining their section and encouraging active participation. By regularly reviewing and celebrating the successes achieved through this method, engagement can be increased and the implementation made successful.

OGSM & Obeya vs. traditional management methods

Compared to conventional strategic planning and management techniques, OGSM and Obeya offer a more dynamic and inclusive approach. Where traditional methods often result in static, annual plans that disappear into the drawer, the combination of OGSM and Obeya creates a living strategic process. It enables organizations to respond quickly to changes in the market and internally, without losing sight of the overarching objectives.

Another unique advantage is the democratization of strategic information. Instead of considering strategy as the exclusive domain of top management, this approach makes strategic goals and progress visible and accessible to the entire organization. This leads to greater engagement at all levels and encourages innovation and problem solving from unexpected angles. By incorporating strategy into daily work through visual management tools, the gap between planning and execution is effectively bridged, resulting in a more agile and responsive organization.

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