Together with the first (Urban) CDC’s analyst, we presented our scoring model at
a next meeting. Staff asked good questions and indicated that they understood it and
felt it was credible. At this point, presented with possible next steps including again
generating alternatives (about which they remained unenthusiastic), they were open
to our analyzing alternatives. They perceived potential benefit––that it might
produce insights––but at a modest level. We agreed it would require limited analyst
time and no time from senior leadership. The fact that the researchers would carryout most of the effort may have reduced their concerns about ease of use to the point
that they were willing to proceed.
Individuals at Smalltown, including the head, were pleased and even excited with
initial generation of alternatives. We presented two possible paths forward: (1)
develop a scoring model to evaluate alternatives, and (2) take the objective-specific
improvement alternatives as raw material for development of broader strategies.
Specifically, we proposed to combine these alternatives with other alternatives
relating to the specific resources or asset classes they commonly considered. In our
prior consulting lives, the trick of combining VFT and strategy tables had produced
interesting results. Smalltown felt confident (to the point of highly engaged
participation) and ready to have a conversation about strategy and they chose the
second option.