The 3Cs Framework
Clarity. Capability. Commitment.
Three conditions are required for progress in any endeavour. These 3Cs are as true for a small project as for an organisation-wide transformation.
A high score if the goal is clearly articulated, shared and understood, and the steps to get there have been worked out.
A high score if the resources such as time, money, people and skills are available, and known barriers like poor systems or ways of working can be addressed.
A high score if there is a shared belief that this is the right thing to be doing, and confidence that it can be achieved.
Drag the sliders to see your shape
All three are strong, so the conditions are there to make real progress.
When something is missing
The shape of the triangle tells the story.
Two dimensions can be high and progress still struggles. When one score is low, the triangle collapses towards it and the symptoms are easy to spot.
We're committed to it and have all the resources we need… but it's spread across a lot of things that don't always seem connected or clear.
We're clear on the goal and want to do it… but we don't have enough time and other things keep getting in the way.
We know what to do and have everything we need… but it's just not happening and we can't explain why.
Powerful and proven
Clarity in complexity.
The 3Cs framework is a powerful and intuitive tool originally developed by members of ELA~n (European Learning Alliance). It has since been extended and successfully applied thousands of times across the world. From executive teams of multinational organisations managing large-scale mergers and integrations to agile project teams tackling focused initiatives, the 3Cs delivers valuable insights and accelerates sustainable progress at scale.
Putting the 3Cs to work
Quick diagnosis
Assessing the likelihood of achieving a strategy, goal or objective (e.g. scaling AI from early adopters to genuine organisation-wide impact).
Building collective ownership
A facilitated workshop process that, through engagement and listening, gathers meaningful insights from all stakeholders for rapid prioritisation and alignment.
Scaling and accelerating transformation
A rapidly scalable, organisation-wide process for leaders to engage everyone when time is limited.
Chances of success
C × C × C = chances of success
Clarity, Capability and Commitment multiply together. If any one of them is zero, so are the chances of success.
© The European Learning Alliance Limited and Siete Consulting Ltd 2022 · 3Cs framework
3Cs resources
3Cs reveals the powerful pattern behind well-known frameworks.
Useful resources include:
- Layers and linkages to other frameworks and models (McKinsey 7S, SCARF, Psychological Safety, ADKAR, Kotter's 8 Steps, The Golden Circle and more)
- Workshop facilitation toolkit (slides, process and interactive polling tools)
- 3Cs Lego Lab Action Challenge (simulation)
- Train-the-facilitator toolkit (teaching leaders to harness the 3Cs for their teams)
- One-page 3Cs cheat sheet
- Video overview
- 3Cs Leadership Framework (principles and practices)
- Individual coaching frame
- Diagnostic tools with predictive formulas, from high-level to detailed
- Comparative data
Want to use the 3Cs with your team?
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