THE PROBLEM:

The Hidden World of Upstream Work

WHAT IS UPSTREAM WORK?

Upstream work is the part of an initiative or problem space with more questions than answers. Teams spend weeks and months getting to the bottom of important questions to formulate recommendations, alignment and decisions. There’s a name for this type of collaboration – it’s called upstream work.

Moving ahead on promising ideas with speed and confidence depends on the upstream journey. It’s time to pull back the curtain on how to do it well.

WHAT

The tables are always set upstream. Explore the right questions, develop the right answers, and come to the right conclusions – that’s how to move from strategy to action. Bring upstream focus, and see better outcomes and results.

WHO

Any team focused on innovation, transformation, product management or strategy knows that collaboration is hard. It can involve endless meetings, weeks of time, blindspots, poor alignment and other pitfalls. There has to be a better way to navigate the unknown, and now there is.

WHY

The upstream is characterized by unknowns. It requires a new kind of problem solving that is very different from execution mode. Learn how Decision Sprint will activate it.

WHAT

WHO

Any team focused on innovation, transformation, product management, or strategy knows that collaboration is hard. It can involve endless meetings, weeks of time, blindspots, poor alignment, and other pitfalls. There has to be a better way to navigate the unknown – and now there is.

WHY

The upstream is characterized by unknowns. It requires a new kind of problem solving that is very different from execution mode. Learn how Decision Sprint will activate it.

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"Today’s business climate is about working with greater urgency and sharper focus. Decision Sprint is how we enhance team productivity when the pressure is on."

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"Here’s my counterintuitive message – to experience speed and quality in decision-making, organizations must start further upstream."

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"One of the biggest catalysts for innovation – Design Thinking – is no longer an edge for companies. It’s time to look at what will define innovation in the years to come."

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