DANIELLE WILLIAMS
PRISM
CLARITY AND DIRECTION FOR COMPLEX TARGETS AND INITIATIVES
A simple-to-follow translation of the Scientific Method for fast and agile strategy design and problem solving in high-stakes environments.
DESIGNED TO NAVIGATE & STABILIZE VOLATILE SCENARIOS
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Regain a sense of control and find directional clarity while transforming integration stress into a collective opportunity for cohesive, synergistic growth.
Identifying cultural and operational misalignments early, then work through minimally disruptive and maximally efficient solutions thereby minimizing costly disruptions and attrition.
ORGANIZATIONAL EFFICIENCY & OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
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Confidently streamline operations by identifying & targeting inefficiencies, aligning company & team goals, and reallocate resources to high-impact areas with minimal disruption to team members and customers.
Cut costs, boost productivity, and reduce employee burnout while fueling resources for sustainable growth and enhancing the organization’s capacity to meet longer-term objectives without sacrificing quality or morale.​
​Navigate the uncertainty of new markets rapidly, commit to plans more confidently, and adapt quickly to competitive pressures through focused roadmaps that can auto-calibrate as your business scales.
Optimally leverage resources sustainably, reduce overall risk and position the business for rapid, meaningful growth.​
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
& EXECUTIVE DELEGATION​​
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Regain focus on longer-term objectives while entrusting your team to carry forward current initiatives with increasing complexity. Start empowering your team to act independently while maintaining control over quality and direction with a structured approach to high-impact delegation.
Build trust in your team’s decision-making abilities by providing them with clear processes, measurable milestones, and contingency plans for joint monitoring.
A BUILDABLE, DRIVING WORKFLOW
PRISM is a process for complex problem solving and strategy management intended to resolve common conflicts that arise during times of uncertainty and volatility, such as the need to plan for the unpredictable or act fast with minimal margin for error. While addressing these common situational conflicts, PRISM also provides guardrails for navigating internal conflicts that are common when confronting high levels of ambiguity throughout the problem solving and strategic management process by counterbalancing natural cognitive processes and biases.
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As a translation of the scientific method for application in professional environments, PRISM provides a structure that reframes and illuminates broad objectives and complex problems into controlled, clear paths to action. It is intended for use alone or as an 'operating system,’ providing structure and connection across specialized tools or institutional processes. It’s versatile enough to match the level of complexity necessary for the situation and the practitioner, while still equally ensuring consistency amongst deliverables and final outcomes.
Start seeing exponential improvements quickly with foundational concepts, then target refined results with more advanced applications integrating complementary tools & methodologies, including:
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The CIA's Phoenix Checklist (guide coming soon)
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Project management, including PMI frameworks
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Change management, including PROSCI methodologies
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ISO standards
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Root cause analysis
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SWOT analysis
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Stakeholder analysis & RACI matrices
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Statistical forecasting
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Systems thinking
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Failure Modes & Effect Analysis (FEMA)
THE PRISM FRAMEWORK
AND HOW IT TRANSLATES FROM THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
PROBLEM VALIDATION
OBJECTIVE &
QUESTION FRAMING
RESEARCH & ROADMAP
HYPOTHESIZE & EXPERIMENT DESIGN
IMPLIMENT & ITERATE
EXECUTE & MEASURE
SOLUTION VALIDATION
ANALYZE & CONCLUDE
The first step is intended to reframe suspected problems through validation of their symptoms, impacts, and root causes. Through this understanding, the potential values, costs, and paths for potential solutions become clearer.
While often considered the 'planning stage' of the process, PRISM challenges this traditionally linear concept by refocusing on the identification & measurement of key factors as well as iteration possibilities. This typically starts with identification of controllable and uncontrollable variables, then forecasting how they will progress into the targeted outcomes. The desired outcome is an initial roadmap will determine which variables are leveraged, when, and how.
Implementation is the standard execution phase, with traditional focus on following through with the initial roadmap. PRISM's key differentiator here is the anticipation of iteration. Through the regular measurement of key indicators (and, if available, assessment against forecasting), feedback loops proactively trigger pivots to both mitigate and maximize actual outcomes. Throughout this stage, logging the progression is vital - this includes saving all performance data and actions taken.
After following the course of the roadmap through the implementation and iteration stage, it will appear the problem has been solved - but appearances can be deceiving. Revisit the original expected outcomes and verify all objectives have been met to the current satisfaction of the original metrics, stakeholders, and/or customers.
Additionally, conduct a retrospective analysis of the logs that were retained to ensure an accurate understanding of exactly how the manipulated variables impacted outcomes. This assessment should also be saved for future use in related initiatives, to improve associated outcomes and avoid the duplication of efforts and
MANAGE & MITIGATE RECURRANCE
COMMUNICATE FINDINGS
Now that the solution has been verified and understood, integrate management of the new baseline into standardized systems and procedures. This should include a monitoring schedule and maintenance plan, as well as the designation of responsible parties for execution and management of the plan. This could also be represented by automation if the necessary components are supported through available and cost-effective technology.
SCALABLE FOR CUSTOM APPLICATIONS
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LEVEL ONE:
CONTROLLED EXECUTION & OUTCOMES
Designed specifically for PRISM beginners and high-level management, Level 1 is generally sufficient for executives and senior leaders to increase strategic decision making capacity and provide a structured process to ensure priority initiatives are effectively executed end-to-end. This foundational level allows for quick implementation, driving strong, measurable outcomes with minimal disruption.
Average timeframe: 1 hour.​
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Accelerate Strategic Decision-Making
Make informed decisions faster and with greater confidence by utilizing a streamlined process that incorporates systemized risk mitigation, proactive contingency planning, and organizational knowledge management.
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Prevent and Resolve Recurring Issues
Address recurring challenges through targeted impact and automated maintenance strategies for improved resource management and organizational efficiency.
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Optimize Immediate and Future Initiatives
Drive rapid improvements to planned and pending projects, supporting continuous improvement with minimal interference to existing operations.
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Adaptable Across Industries and Contexts
Versatile, providing clarity and actionable solutions that are easily adapted to diverse industries and organizational settings, making it a powerful tool for leaders in any environment.
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LEVEL TWO:
DEEP ANALYSIS & REFINED RESULTS
For practitioners who have mastered the foundational concepts of PRISM, Level 2 focuses on refinement through the incorporation of targeted, complementary tools. This 'operating system' style usage balances the benefits of a streamlined process with detailed application.
Integrate specialized methodologies — such as root cause analysis, systems thinking, and statistical forecasting—directly into individual steps of the PRISM process. The result is an enhanced approach to deliver refined outcomes.
Average timeframe: 1 hour +, depending on prior proficiency with related methodologies.
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Customize Problem-Solving Approaches
Tailor strategies to the unique needs of each situation by selecting and applying the most appropriate supplemental methodologies at each step. This flexibility allows for highly specific focuses around complex problems, further enhancing the effectiveness of your initiatives.
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Enhance Strategic Thinking
Leverage specialized thinking methods such as systems thinking and first principles thinking to improve the predictability and outcomes of complicated planning challenges. Through understanding the interconnectedness of components and questioning underlying assumptions, develop more insightful and innovative solutions that address core issues efficiently.
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Improve Solution Sustainability
Ensure lasting impact by incorporating concepts like continuous improvement and feedback loops into the PRISM steps. This promotes strategies that are resilient over time and adaptable to changing conditions.
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LEVEL THREE:
ADVANCED INTEGRATION
Integrate PRISM into existing organizational procedures or professional frameworks, such as various types of project management, change management, Lean Startup, and more. PRISM's steps function as an 'operating system', creating a cohesive and comprehensive approach to problem-solving and strategy within current company and industry norms.
An accessible path for leaders and teams to excel in larger scale initiatives at the enterprise level, or for unit leaders in organizations of all sizes, to drive results from within - without the need for overhauling existing practices.
Average timeframe: 1 hour +, depending on intricacies of existing frameworks
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Manage Large-Scale Initiatives Effectively
Leverage the combined power of PRISM and other frameworks to tackle complex projects and transformations. Level 3 equips you with the tools to handle multifaceted challenges that span various domains, ensuring comprehensive solutions that address all aspects of the problem.
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Embed PRISM into Existing Methodologies
Integrate PRISM directly with established frameworks like Agile, Scrum, Lean Six Sigma, and change management practices. This synergy allows you to enhance the strengths of each framework, creating a unified process that leverages the best aspects of all methodologies involved.
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Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration
Promote greater alignment across departments and teams by combining PRISM with other standardized processes. This integration facilitates improved communication, shared understanding, and cohesive efforts toward common goals, enhancing overall organizational performance.
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Tailor Strategies to Industry-Specific Needs
Apply PRISM in conjunction with industry-specific frameworks to develop strategies that meet unique sector requirements. Whether in healthcare, technology, finance, or manufacturing, Level 3 enables you to adapt your approach to align with industry best practices and regulatory standards.
BACKGROUND
Someone recently asked me if I could frame how my brain works through problems in relation to my professional accomplishments. While I'll be the first to acknowledge that I couldn't have done any of it without the strong mentors and team members I've been fortunate enough to work with, one common thread came to mind as well - this process of first validating a problem, identifying variables and forecasting before implementation, then monitoring progress closely before formalizing long term management plans. When developing any initiatives or strategies, from the day to day - to even when faced with the toughest and most unpredictable circumstances, I've found it to be completely automatic and scalable for efficiency and any level of complexity.
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In discussing it further, we realized it parallels the scientific method perfectly - which also comedically reinforces that my early teachers and family might have been onto something when pushing me towards the field of science. Now here we are, decades later, and I'm advocating for it's broader use in completely unrelated fields - who says life doesn't have a sense of humor?
GET STARTED
Request information on materials, group webinars and workshops, or private consulting/advising through the form below.
COMING SOON
MORE RESOURCES INCLUDING:​
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Downloadable guides & checklists
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Video content & instructions
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Collaborative virtual workshops
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Full field guidebook
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Join the mailing list to get notified when new resources become available and pre-order a copy of the field guidebook.