Social Impact at Scale

Implementation

Alignment Building Facilitation Guide

Unite your organisation around scaling plans

How will this tool help?

This guide will help you facilitate effective alignment-building conversations within your organisation, ensuring that all stakeholders understand and support your scaling plans. It’s designed to help you secure long-term commitment and collaboration across different teams and functions, address common barriers to alignment, and develop a unified approach to scaling.

STEP-BY-STEP

To work on the tool worksheet, follow these steps:

Make a copy to your own Google Drive folder:
Click file > Make a copy > Entire presentation > Select your personal drive folder,

Download a copy to your desktop:
Click file > Download > Microsoft Word (or other file type)

View the guide

Step 1

Understand the Importance of Alignment

Scaling is a complex and challenging process that requires broad organisational support. Building alignment ensures that everyone is committed to the scaling goals and understands their role in achieving them.

Step 2

Set Clear Objectives for the Facilitation Session

Clarify the Scaling Strategy and Model: Ensure that everyone understands the key components and expected outcomes of the scaling plan.
Identify and Address Stakeholders’ Concerns: Provide a platform for stakeholders to voice any fears or concerns, particularly around changes in quality or organisational identity.
Develop a Shared Vision and Commitment: Work together to create a unified vision that everyone can rally behind.
Create a Collaborative Action Plan: Outline specific steps, timelines, and responsibilities to move forward.

Step 3

Prepare for the Facilitation Session

Identify Stakeholders: Create a list of key internal and external stakeholders who should be involved in the conversation.
Send Invitations: Provide details about the meeting’s purpose, agenda, and any preparatory materials.
Prepare Scaling Documents: Ensure that all relevant documents and data are ready for distribution during the session.

Step 4

Facilitate the Meeting

Welcome and Introduction (15 minutes):
- Welcome participants, explain the meeting objectives, and set ground rules for discussion.
Presentation of Scaling Strategy and Model (30 minutes):
- Clearly explain the scaling strategy and model, emphasising the expected impact and benefits.
Stakeholder Feedback Session (45 minutes):
- Collect feedback on the scaling plans, focusing on excitement, questions, and concerns.
Vision Alignment Exercise (30 minutes):
- Have participants write and discuss vision statements for the scaling initiative, aiming to create a unified vision.
Action Planning Session (1 hour):
- Divide into groups to develop action plans for specific aspects of the scaling strategy.
Review and Next Steps (30 minutes):
- Summarise key points, outline next steps, and thank participants for their contributions.

Step 5

Post-Meeting Follow-Up

Documentation:
- Distribute meeting minutes and consolidated action plans to all participants.
Communication:
- Establish a schedule for regular updates on progress and create channels for ongoing feedback and adjustments.

General facilitation tips

Always know what you want to achieve in each session and use this clarity to steer the conversation effectively. By anticipating possible challenges and preparing prompt questions, you can keep the discussion on track and ensure productive outcomes. Additionally, promote external perspectives by encouraging diverse viewpoints, which helps avoid groupthink and ensures that all options are considered.

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Next steps

You are now ready to move onto the ‘Communication Plan’ tool to communicate your scale model with key stakeholders

Head to the tool

Communication Plan

Communicate your scale model with key stakeholders

Appears in these Collections

Prepare to scale up

Scale Readiness Diagnostic

Assess your scale readiness and address areas for improvement

Design your Core

Define the essential elements that drive your impact and sustainability

Sweet spot for scale

Critically assess the scalability of your solution by ensuring it has impact, value and sustainability baked into it.

Social Objectives

Identify and align your social and organisational objectives

Quality management

Ensure that delivery remains high quality over time

Roles and Responsibilities

Set and assess roles and responsibilities for all partners you intend to work with

Partner Profile

Build strategic alliances by defining partner criteria, instilling confidence in collaborations and mapping potential partners

Project Planning

Create a customisable plan for effective scaling implementation