Strategic diagnostic and roadmap: current-state assessment and levers for action

Situations suited to the strategic diagnostic and roadmap package

• Management formulates a specific request, whereas the organisation’s real problem lies elsewhere.
• The manager of an SME observes performance gaps without identifying the function in which they originate.
• A mid-sized company is undertaking a change of direction and first seeks a structured assessment of its functions.
• The general management of an organisation undergoing a change of direction must prioritise its levers for action before committing resources.
• An executive committee expects a 12-month roadmap, with owners, deadlines and indicators.

Process

1. Purchase and onboarding. The client first acquires the Strategic diagnostic intake form (CV-01). ASKonsult then opens the secure exchange space, which receives the documents and questions.
2. Synchronous scoping. Session 1, a 90-minute videoconference, restates the request and sets the scope of the diagnostic. It also establishes the list of documents and contacts.
3. Asynchronous collection. The client then completes the intake form and transmits the financial statements as well as the organisational documents. During this phase, written questions circulate in both directions.
4. Analysis and correction. The firm’s in-house engineering then cross-checks the data and identifies the gaps. Session 2, a 60-minute videoconference, makes it possible to verify the interim findings.
5. Synchronous presentation. Finally, session 3, a 90-minute videoconference, presents the report and prioritises the levers. It ends with the delivery of the validated deliverable.

Deliverable

The strategic diagnostic and roadmap deliverable comprises three documents. The diagnostic report first presents the findings by function and a strengths-weaknesses-risks matrix. It also restates the organisation’s central problem. The 12-month roadmap then sets out the prioritised actions, with their owners, deadlines and indicators. Presentation slides finally accompany these documents. ASKonsult delivers the whole set at session 3, after final review.

Prerequisites

The package first requires the completed intake form. The three most recent sets of financial statements and the organisation chart complete this documentary base. In addition, management makes itself available for the three synchronous sessions. Timeframes run from receipt of a complete file.

Frequently asked questions

How is the quote drawn up?

The quote is based on a qualification discussion prior to subscription. This discussion covers in particular the size of the organisation and the number of functions examined. The specific terms and conditions then set the scope, schedule, number of sessions, expected documents and deliverable. ASKonsult then creates the order on the basis of the accepted quote. The start date also depends on the firm’s analysis capacity.

How are the sessions and the asynchronous work distributed?

The package comprises three videoconference sessions, 4 hours in total. The first, of 90 minutes, handles scoping; the second, of 60 minutes, verifies the interim findings. The third, of 90 minutes, is used for the presentation of results. Between these sessions, collection takes place asynchronously, via the secure exchange space. The firm also schedules the sessions in advance, in set time slots.

What is the purpose of the intake form?

The intake form structures the information that the package uses. It first qualifies the need and prepares the collection of documents. The scoping session then specifies how it is to be completed. During the analysis phase, the firm’s in-house engineering corrects the intake form and thus guides the work. The completed intake form therefore constitutes the common basis for exchanges between the client and the firm.

Does the package cover the implementation of the actions?

No. The strategic diagnostic and roadmap ends with the delivery of the validated report and roadmap. The implementation of the actions falls to the organisation, which remains the sole decision-maker. Likewise, interim management remains outside the package. Finally, the service is a obligation of means and carries no guarantee of results.

Do the documents transmitted remain confidential?

The firm treats the financial statements, organisation chart and organisational documents transmitted as confidential. These documents circulate only via the secure exchange space and serve solely the purposes of the service. This obligation also survives the end of the relationship. Reciprocally, the client undertakes the same discretion with regard to non-public tools and deliverables. The client is also responsible for the accuracy of the information it transmits.

What comes after the diagnostic?

When the roadmap calls for structured work, the Business plan and financial forecast package (K-02) can take over. The Structuring the sales function of an SME package (K-19), for its part, addresses the commercial levers. The Business management kit (O-09) also equips the day-to-day monitoring of the business. Finally, a need for recurrent support falls under the Steering subscription (A-02).

Out of scope

The strategic diagnostic and roadmap includes neither an accounting audit nor a statutory audit. It also excludes business valuation. The implementation of the actions included in the roadmap also remains outside the service. Nor does interim management fall within the package. When a point falls to an authorised professional, ASKonsult refers the client to that professional.