Evidence-Based

Actions and practices based on the best evidence and hard facts, rather than conventional wisdom or the latest fad.

alucida LLC embraces and promotes the concept of “evidence-based management”, developed by Stanford professors Jeffrey Pfeffer and Bob Sutton. Key elements of evidence-based management include:

• A willingness to question conventional wisdom and commonly accepted beliefs
• A commitment to gathering facts, data, and information… and considering new evidence as it becomes available

This involves identifying the practices and actions that will work best in your particular circumstance, not blindly adopting what seems to have worked elsewhere. This involves leveraging best practices, proven frameworks, and management research, but applying them in an integrated, holistic manner that is customized for your business. This involves an emphasis on iterative planning and execution, making the best decision today based on the information available, and then learning by doing – continuing to gather information while executing, and adjusting course as new evidence comes available.

Some of our favorite questions include:

• What assumptions are we making? How confidently do we believe these assumptions? What happens if we’re wrong?
• What are the likely consequences, both positive and negative, of taking the proposed action?
• What are the facts? What conclusion does the data support?
• What are the alternatives?
• What could we do to get started, and learn from doing?
• Could we run a trial or experiment to collect information and/or validate our assumptions?

These questions promote candid and robust dialogue and help business leaders gain a deep understanding of their situation. And then, by paying attention to experience, reflecting on what’s working and what’s not, and having the courage to make necessary changes, an organization can continuously grow and improve.