The ENHANCE Method

We seek to understand the health of the organisation because this is where the greatest investment should be directed for sustainable transformation and true integration. There are certain factors that impact the ability of an organisation to achieve this. 

If we consider a car wheel.  It has a hub, a tube, and a tyre. The hub represents an organisations beliefs and values, and what we call the Four C’s (Culture, Context, Competency and Character). These are what form the foundational structure of an organisation. Without a strong and well-made rim and hub, the tyre will not be able to fulfil its purpose.  We have developed a method of assessing these that can be applied across cultures and contexts. 

A fully Integrated organisation is one that demonstrates high commitment to what we call The Five Domains of Commitment. These are:

1. A commitment to strategic leadership.
2. A commitment to accountable stewardship.
3. A commitment to healthy relationships.
4. A commitment to effective teamwork.
5. A commitment to biblical justice.

Each of these domains of commitment contributes to the strength of the others and so a fully Integrated organisation is one that exemplifies all five.  This area can be represented by the inner tube of the wheel - one with five compartments, each requiring its own air. Unless all five are fully inflated, the tyre will not be able to fully perform. The vehicle will instead be slow, prone to failure, and will damage the surrounding tyre.

We have identified 30 organisational practices that contribute to these Domains of Commitment. The better these standards are achieved, the stronger an organisation is in each of those domains, and the more INTEGRATED it is, and its overall performance will reflect this.

The proof of organisational Integration is performance. This is the tyre of the wheel, and is where 'the rubber hits the road'. 

Performance is measured based on four key indicators: 

1. Effectiveness (scale and quality of impact), 
2. Efficiency (what it costs to run), 
3. Relevance (whether there is demand for the services) and, 
4. Viability (level of stakeholder satisfaction, sustainability of resourcing). 

We work with each organisation to identify the best indicators in each of these four areas prior to assessment and create a baseline to measure improvements over time. 

The Enhance Assessment Methodology has been developed out of extensive research into complex systems theories, organisational leadership science, and assessment approaches.  

We follow a mixed method approach that seeks to obtain a information from a variety of stakeholders and through a range of methods that include:

1. Defining performance measures (see notes on previous section).
2. Adopting an overarching case study methodology (what is the overarching narrative?).
3. Using mixed method approaches to data collection (document review, surveys, interviews, observation).
4. Ensuring ownership of the process by all parties through formal agreement.
5. Practicing triangulation during the interview process.
6. Building skilled assessment teams. 

ENHANCE has developed the ability to assess organisations according to this method, either as a rapid assessment (5 days) or to increasing levels of depth (from 5 up to 30 days).

 Once information has been gathered, the Enhance team analyses the information and develops a working hypothesis which includes a summary of the data, our conclusions, and recommendations.  The information is presented to the team and a process of clarification and adjustment takes place to account for potential gaps in information or to address potential bias.  

The final stage in this process is to identify and agree on the key areas of focus for subsequent Organisational Enhancement.

Our team can help the organisation develop a plan that can be implemented over the course of 12-36 months.  

The Enhance team is ready to assist in the implementation of the recommendations. This may include facilitating strategic planning, policy development, board development or leadership training, coaching or mentoring, advice. 

All our other products and services (including those in development) focus on the various elements of organisational enhancement included in this stage.

 During the action stage (12-36 months), and at the end, Enhance is available to evaluate:

1. What actions have been completed.
2. The quality of that action.
3. The level to which changes have integrated into organisational practice.
4. The impact this has had on organisational performance to date.

At Enhance, while we expect you will see results within a year, we believe the true extent of successful Enhancement will only be fully proven two years after the formal Enhancement process has been completed. This is the real test of sustainability. Has performance stayed strong and is it getting stronger?

We will continue to gather evidence that the Enhance Method works, using our learning from each Enhanced organisation to Enhance our own tools and products, to make them more effective and efficient.