Working together to create an integrated model, using our dynamic modeling process generates significant shared learning among all of the participants about how the company structure drives particular behavior.

Since the key decision makers contribute directly to the creation of the model, they correct and confirm the variables and their interrelationships along the way. In addition, they supply the relevant quantitative data that connects these variables in the appropriate proportion.

One client at a top petroleum company shared with us that, "being experts in the area, I thought we all knew what the terms we shared meant and, of course, we all agreed on them. We didn't! This process systematically identified the key concepts to discuss and the framework within which to dialog about how we each understood from out perspectives within the system. Probably one of the stronger team building exercises we've ever done."

This model development process leads to the common ground, the place where common understanding of the model structure and values is accepted by all of the model developers. In addition, the common ground is where the key client decision makers from the different operating areas related to the issue being studied discuss the strategic impact of hypotheses that are being tested via this integrated model in a shared language. 

Once on common ground, the key decision makers use this new, deep structural understanding of their issue to discuss the strategic impact of their various alternative decisions in dynamic terms.  

With the ability to test numerous hypotheses on this single platform, a common understanding of the impact of these alternatives on the future performance of the company may by shared and compared more objectively.