Identifying data sources
Answering the OrgCon questions in an organized and consistent manner is important since the whole analysis will depend on the inputs.
Several methods can be used to obtain answer the questions. There is no right or wrong method.
In the table below, several methods are described succinctly. Each method emphasizes a particular emphasis.
The input questions can be answered as follows:
| Methods to gather the data inputs for OrgCon | Emphasis will be on |
| A consultant meeting with various staff and reading internal documents | Objectivity: A consultant can look objectively at diverse sub-units of the organization |
| An internal key informant meeting with various staff and reading internal documents | Coherence: One key informant will provide consistent interpretations |
| Group process in workshop format | Consensus: A high degree of consensus will be achieved |
| A select group of individuals answering the questions independently | Internal variety: The responses will be varied and provide different perspectives on the organization |
| Public sources of information | External view: This is the image your firm is presenting to investors |
The choice of method to collect input data will depend on the goal you choose and on the use(s) you plan to make of the recommendations.
Methods can be used sequentially. Resulting scenarios can be compared and results discussed.
It is not a good idea to mix methods during one run of the model, since each method emphasizes a specific view of the organization. It is important to be able to evaluate the results of each run in the light of identifiable input biases. Based on the project goal, the user will need to select the method(s) most likely to maximize attainment of the primary objective of the exercise.
When you are unsure about how to answer a question, it is often helpful to think about how your competitor(s) would answer the question. You may then decide how different you think your situation is from that of your competitor. OrgCon remains accurate with industry specificity and cultural characteristics. As your input is relative to your competitors so will be the analyses and the recommendations