Linkages

Executing strategy is a matter of finding, building, inventing and leveraging linkages.

In Six Sigma linkages are known as the 'cause-effect' relationships. You define the problem (the difference between desired and actual) and then try to find out the root causes. If you can find and control the causes, the effect can be controlled too. It is not so simple of course, it sometimes takes a lot of work, research and statistical analysis.

In executing your strategy, the equivalent exercise is getting the 'line of sight' from capability to customer outcome. A supporting activity is to thread the initiatives, projects and deliverables so that they work together in an integrated fashion to produce synergy in building capabilities. Capabilities that are integrated are more powerful than capabilities that are silo'ed.

In the absence of linkages, a 'translation' has to occur as capabilities interact with each other. This translation increases friction, increasing the cycle time and expense to deliver customer outcomes.