9 Lenses   |   Emergent Patterns   |   Design Ideas and Options   |   Adaptive Experimentation   |   Adaptive Iteration
Example

Evaluation of a sporting club and team

Situation
You have recently joined the management committee of a sporting club whose main team has been in decline for several years. You have been asked to lead a comprehensive review of the team to identify opportunities for improvement. Use the 9 Lenses to identify the factors to be considered during the review.

9 Lenses scan

Are the issues mainly with the team or are there also significant issues with the club’s administration?
Does the team’s game plan and structure appear to be appropriate for the current mix of players?
Has there been enough emphasis on building a team for the future as well as improving current results?
Are the team members committed to each other and to the game plan?
Are we in a vicious cycle of poor on-field performance and decreasing confidence?
Is the team constrained in any way? Funding? Ability to attract players, supporters and sponsors? Buildings and facilities?
Are there issues with the fitness, skills or attitudes of individual players?
Do the performance statistics of the team provide any insights into the reasons for the team’s poor performance?
What is it like to be a member of this club and team? Is it positive and empowering, or is negative and depressing? Do the players and coaches believe that they can succeed or are they mainly going through the motions?
Does the on-field intensity, work rate and proactivity of the team members indicate that they are motivated and enthusiastic?
What motivates and drives the key decision-makers in the club?
Who or what is it that is setting the tone in the club and team at the moment?
What aspects of the team are going well and can be leveraged?
What aspects of the club’s administration are working well? Can these be used as the basis to develop and grow the club into the future?
Has anything surprising or unusual been identified? If so, does this provide any further insights or suggest any new opportunities for improvement?
Is there any subtle strength or positive characteristic that has the potential to grow rapidly (possibly through self-reinforcing feedback) and make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the club and team? An emerging player or administrator? An aspect of the team’s game plan? Interest from a sponsor or supporter group?