Lyon, Popanz & Forester
Working in the white space of organizations
to solve management problems

 
The white spaces of organizations occur on
organization charts between internal departments,
in contractual ambiguity and regulatory complexity.
They are places where
functional misunderstandings occur,
communication falters, roles change, priorities conflict,
rewards are unclear, risks are unknown, and
managers sometimes see threats to their careers
that outweigh the opportunities.
We work in those white spaces to
define problems so they can be solved,
design solutions so they can be implemented, and
structure implementation so it can be managed.

Examples include:
  • Business process improvement that addresses both process and the cultural barriers and opportunities
  • Application of new technologies to business processes, e.g., remote document imaging and electronic medical records
  • Merger integration - putting the pieces together so they work
  • Litigation support - what failed, who should have done something about it and when

  • Our assignments usually begin with a review of management's understanding of the opportunity or problem. We then work with members of the organization to clarify symptoms, issues, and impacts and to develop options to be considered. We define the opportunity or problem in sufficient detail that it can be solved. We assist in the evaluation of options and selection of a solution. We structure the solution so it can be implemented. We design the implementation so responsibilities are clear and progress can be managed.

    Beyond this, what we do is tailored to specific projects.