The Formula. Here's a formula for designing IT-based initiatives, especially cross-boundary initiatives. It won't, of course, absolutely guarantee success (Hey, this stuff is hard!). It will, however, help avoid all-too-common mistakes. The formula:

[(V - T) x F] max, where

V= Design for long-term social value, not just your agency's immediate hurdles
T= Design for the full transition: org change as well as technology
F= Design for feasibility: political as well as technological and economic
max = Balance the above, then maximize results against the 'big picture' competition

Applied well, the formula produces a good target or destination. However, once on the implementation journey, what does it take to deliver success?

The Implementation Gauge. What you need is to respond well to pressures that push projects off course. Specifically, you need to gauge forces of confusion and conflict, then apply the right mix of the following:

1. If confusion is high, communicate to share the vision and learn what's needed
2. If conflict is high, coordinate and negotiate to align incentives and maintain focus
3. If confusion and conflict are both high, change and control the project through decisive action, but avoid too-frequent changes and scope creep
4. If confusion and conflict are low, cruise ahead with a lighter mix of all the above, measuring progress through objective feedback and critical milestones

Again, success takes skill (and perhaps luck) with all the above.

How skillful are you, and what are your top needs for improvement? Our June 20-22 workshop will serve as a 'tune up' opportunity for your projects, working with you to apply the above concepts in some depth. Here's the full agenda: http://www.3ecompass.net/content/June_2005_Description_Agenda

My next note will offer a diagnostic survey to help interpret these ideas and assess how important they may (or may not) be for you and your organization.

Stay tuned, and let us know what you think.