19960902
10 'POWER TOOLS' FOR ISSUES MANAGEMENT
September 2, 1996
Surfacing/Challenging Assumptions--managers must break out of mindsets formed by past experiences, which can limit the opportunity to see emerging change.
Strategic Trend Intelligence System--by tapping into online databases and other sources, companies must put in place a system to "track trends and events in the external environment."
Issue Life Cycle--managers must understand the typical pattern of issues. The first stage is a change in "societal expectations," followed by policy proposals from government officials, formalization of policies through legislation, and finally enforcement policies and private compliance patterns.
Issues Vulnerability Audit--for a company, this looks at the "needs and wants" it serves, its customer base, corporate identity, cost advantages and product/service proprietary strengths.
Issue Briefs--after identifying issues, characteristics and dynamics are described.
Delphi Rating Method--this involves a formal survey of top executives to reach consensus on an issue and the recommended corporate response.
10-Step Issue Management Process--a plan must be put in place to designate roles, accountability, audiences, issue response plans and a method of evaluation.
Issue Accountability Model--corporations need a plan to ensure regular flow of issues information to the proper executives.
Issue Analysis Worksheet--filling out of a form by issues management team members ensures that all understand the issue, and its relation to the company and their function.
Scenario Techniques--these allow creation of potential outcomes by considering the impact of uncertainties.
Source: "Anticipatory Management," by William C. Ashley & James L. Morrison
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