The strategy desk

Connect people. Purpose. Performance.

Frameworks for making choices about people, work and organisational capability. Use them to ask better questions, then test the answers.

People analytics · models & decisions01

The HR value chain & causal chain

Connect HR investment with employee, operational and business outcomes—and test the links.

David E. Guest3 min
AMO framework02

Ability, motivation and opportunity

A performance problem may be about capability, willingness, or the chance to contribute. Diagnose before prescribing.

Thomas Bailey2 min
There is no single best way03

Contingency theory & strategic fit

Choose HR practices that fit the work and its context, while keeping legal and ethical standards consistent.

Paul R. Lawrence2 min
Capabilities that last04

The resource-based view

Look beyond headcount to the knowledge, relationships and routines that enable an organisation to do something distinctive.

Jay B. Barney2 min
Stakeholders & consequences05

The Harvard HRM framework

Connect people-policy choices with stakeholder interests and their longer-term effects on work, organisations and society.

Michael Beer, Bert Spector, Paul Lawrence, D. Quinn Mills2 min
What HR needs to deliver06

Ulrich’s four HR roles

Balance future strategy, change, dependable operations and employee contribution instead of treating “strategic” as a job title.

Dave Ulrich2 min
Mobilise & sustain change08

Kotter’s change framework

Use the framework to organise support and remove obstacles, with room for feedback rather than a rigid campaign script.

John P. Kotter2 min