Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Plan4SM process a better way to plan?
Traditional planning approaches break down in a variety of places, such as ambiguity in objectives, vague accountabilities, poor understanding, or communication of plan goals. Plan4 has been engineered to overcome the shortcomings of traditional planning, replacing the “art” of visioning and planning with sound scientific and mathematical tools. With Plan4, superior and predictable outcomes are achieved.
Can you really understand our business well enough to help us plan more effectively than we can ourselves?
The value of having a good process is that it can be applied successfully wherever it is needed. We’ve applied our Plan4 process successfully across a wide array of industries, such as: transportation, high-tech, manufacturing, hospitality, business services, government and financial services. The process itself accounts for the fact that every organization is unique.
Our business model is unique within our industry. How can you help us?
We have yet to encounter a planning engagement that we could not deliver the promised outcomes for the client and meet or exceed their expectations. That said, we will not take on a project unless we are confident we can deliver extraordinary value. The 140%+ ROI we consistently deliver to our clients is evidence of this promise.
We appreciate the competitive landscape of our client’s industries and the differentiation a business must maintain when delivering products and services to the market. Our Plan4 process coupled with your vision and knowledge of your business are a powerful force to be reckoned with.
Give me an example of an engagement in each planning category: Strategic, Operational and Technology.
Strategic: Large strategic planning engagements involve enterprise-level planning. Sometimes these engagements involve organizational restructuring, merger & acquisition (M&A) planning, long-term and short-term strategic business planning, enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiatives, and planning governance improvement or implementation. A medium-sized engagement might involve less than the entire enterprise (e.g. 3+ departments working collaboratively in planning around a major initiative or achievement of an organizational goal). A small engagement might involve only executive management and be focused on facilitated planning and problem solving, direction analysis, or something specific such as new growth option or communications planning.
Operational: Large operational planning engagements are usually focused at the division or department level and are typically dealing with functional areas of the business, such as human resources. departmental process improvements, field sales strategy development, departmental strategy alignment with the enterprise strategy, or departmental reorganizations. Medium-sized operational planning engagements can address a variety of business issues, but typically relate to examples like business continuity planning within a department or process improvement analysis and change planning within a department such as finance or accounting.
Technology: Technology planning is a broad category and covers a wide range of services from IT strategic planning to technology conversions and commercial off-the-shelf software implementations. Like the operational planning offering, engagements can sometimes be contained within the departmental context, such as an IT or technology department– but not in every case.
Who is the typical Method Frameworks client?
Our typical client has $100M or more in annual revenues, and shares our belief in the values of thorough planning and tight execution. They typically have some type of formalized planning process in place. We prefer working with clients that appreciate the value of planning and want to improve their methods and the results of their efforts. We have the experience and the most innovative and effective planning process available to go along with it. Our Plan4 process is designed to create client-centered value and helps us and our clients to do the right things, right - every time.
Does Method Frameworks work with smaller companies as well?
The answer is a qualified, "yes". We choose to work with clients that we feel can and will benefit from engaging Method Frameworks to help their organizations plan to achieve their goals. We look for receptivity to new thinking and a willingness to change as key determinants in selecting clients to work with – not size.
