About Peak Education & Consulting

The Peak Process for Organizations

Nonprofit organizations are a vital and integral part of a global society. The breadth of the mission-based work performed by these organizations is astounding. They do, however, face immense challenges. The services offered by Peak will give organizations the tools they need to meet challenges and succeed in delivering their missions most effectively.

The Peak Process

Assessment/ Research: We use a variety of assessment strategies when working with organizations including, but not limited to:

• Application of Assessment Models
• Principles of Good Practice
• Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat Analysis
• Assessment of Mission
• Input – Output Assessment
• Financial Analysis
• Previous Organizational Assessments

In this stage, we also employ a comprehensive reading of the client’s needs so that the rest of the process is accurate and effective. This stage implements data-gathering deemed appropriate for the particular Peak-client relationship. This may include, but is not limited to: surveys, interviews, discussions, academic research, direct observation, review of available records, workshops, and analysis of environment.

The desired outcome of the first stage of the Peak-client relationship is to gain a solid understanding of a particular organization:

• Background to diagnosis
• Outputs
• Goals and Strategies
• Inputs
• Environment
• Technology and work processes
• Structure
• Behavior and processes
• Culture
• System dynamics

Strategy: In this stage, the Peak-client relationship discusses which proposals, approaches, models, or tactics will be most effective for the situation at hand. This discussion also takes into account the depth of intervention necessary by focusing on the following questions:

1. What is the problem at hand, and what depth of interaction is required to promote an enduring solution for this problem, at this time, for this particular organization?
2. What energy and resources are currently committed to solving this problem and implementing change?
3. How accessible is the necessary data on an organizational level or an individual level, with regards to the problem at hand and the ability to change?

Action Plan: This stage deals with the practical implementation of the desired strategies. In this stage, the Peak-client relationship determines tasks, timelines, necessary resources (human, financial, technological), communication processes, deliverables, and desired outcomes. The Peak Process insists that the consultant work with the client not for the client, and vice versa. In this practical stage, the relationship can often be jeopardized. Clear recognition of responsibility for certain tasks, maintaining clear and constant communication, and ensuring support of desired outcomes is imperative. The Peak-client relationship must also maintain flexibility in this stage. Revision is many times necessary, and all parties should recognize the importance of being able to do so.

Evaluation: Clear action plans will include specific timelines and desired outcomes. When the work of the action plan is complete, the Peak-client relationship evaluates the results and effectiveness of the process. Peak and client will determine evaluative processes during the strategy phase, and will employ them at the completion of the action plan.