Summary of Terms Used

The accountability dynamics have been described using a range of basic terms. These are brought together here for a brief explanation and a complete summary overview. The diagram is provided for reference. The focus in this section is on producing outcomes: issues like leadership and culture are not addressed, nor are the detailed mechanisms used by managers.

Basic Terms

Intentional States

«Identity» refers to Purposes-PH6 L7 - L4: note that all these purposes are values.
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Identity is recognized by the continuity, coherence and worth of values that define the continuing social role and functioning of the organization.

«Policy» refers to Purposes-PH6 L3 & L2: L3-priority is a value, L2-strategic objective is an outcome.
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Policy is the final common pathway for introducing visionary, cultural and growth programs. (See G4: Functioning in Ch.10 Working with Values.)

«Operations» refers to all activities that are required to produce outputs with a view to achieving desired outcomes.

«Programs» refers to specifically organising activities to produce outcomes defined in terms of outputs.
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The concern here is with accountability for operational programs which are defined by: principal objects-L4 (the rationale), priorities-L3 (values to be emphasised), strategic objectives-L2 (outcomes), and tactical objectives-L1 (tasks with deadlines). (See G4: Functioning in Ch.10 Working with Values.)

«Systems» refers to methods for controlling work processes and work-flows within operations e.g. schedules, rotas, emergency procedures, process pathways.
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Systems are the way that the outputs of an organization are produced. These processes can become obsolete, inefficient or ineffective remarkably easily.

«Output» refers to a tangible end-result of a work activity.

Responsible Handling

«Control» is about taking maximum responsibility for choices: may be a Centre or a Channel joining adjacent Levels.

«Activation» is about instigating choices promptly: always a Channel joining adjacent Levels.

«Development» is about designing and articulating a new desired state: may be one or two Channels joining adjacent Levels.

«Installation» is about overcoming inertia due to confusion, resistance or opposition: always two Channels that bypass a Level.

«Intervention» is about introducing a change in the face of resistance: always a Channel that bypasses a Level.

«Implementation» is about bringing a new state into effect: may be one or two Channels joining adjacent Levels.

«Imposition» is about insisting and enforcing: always a Channel and may cross one or two Levels.

«Maintenance» is about sustaining the purposive state: always a Channel, but may be within a Level or cross one Level or cross two Levels.

«Management» is not included here because it is a general term for meta-work required by constant change and demands many ways of handling as described here.

Accountability Requirements

Identity

Policy

Operations

Programs

Systems

Output

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Originally posted: 28-Feb-2014