Created by Tyler de la Plaine, PhD, CPM
Making complex, high-stakes decisions can be intimidating—especially when outcomes are uncertain and the pressure is intense. In military operations, particularly during wartime, timely and accurate decisions can determine survival. Similarly, in the world of business, the ability to make swift and informed decisions often marks the difference between success and failure.
To support business owners and organizational leaders in navigating these challenges, Dr. de la Plaine developed a robust decision-making and strategic planning framework called STEAME—Strategic Tactics for Envisioning, Actualizing, Measuring, and Evaluating. STEAME is a Dynamic Actualization Decision Model (DADM) using a comprehensive, 10-step process designed to help leaders make high-impact decisions, craft strategic plans, and implement them effectively.
The STEAME model guides users through the full decision-making and execution 10-step lifecycle:
1. Determine and Specify – Clearly define the issue, goal, or challenge.
2. Research – Gather relevant data and contextual information.
3. Analyze – Examine the data using structured qualitative and quantitative methods.
4. Assess – Evaluate the implications and connections within the findings.
5. Strategize – Design a targeted, actionable plan aligned with organizational goals.
6. Envision – Mentally simulate success and foster stakeholder alignment.
7. Actualize – Implement the plan using effective leadership and communication.
8. Measure – Monitor progress using defined metrics and feedback tools.
9. Evaluate – Interpret results and assess the plan’s overall effectiveness.
10. Adjust – Refine the strategy based on outcomes, lessons, and emerging needs.
With STEAME, leaders are equipped to make informed, confident decisions that drive meaningful, measurable outcomes—even in the most uncertain environments.
Step Four Assess the Findings
Carefully evaluate the results of the analysis, interpreting not only the surface-level outcomes but also the deeper dimensions, sub-dimensions, recurring patterns, and emergent themes that surfaced throughout the research process. Move beyond simple conclusions to uncover the underlying dynamics shaping the issue or opportunity at hand. This evaluative step is crucial for turning raw findings into actionable insights.
Apply the principles of complex systems theory to examine how these findings interact with and influence the broader organizational landscape. This involves looking at the interdependencies among departments, roles, resources, and external actors. Consider how internal functions—such as workflow efficiency, leadership structures, and team dynamics—may be affected. Simultaneously, explore how external forces—such as market demands, community relationships, customer behavior, and regulatory environments—are interwoven with the results.
Analyze the implications of any proposed changes or interventions on multiple levels. Evaluate the intended and unintended consequences, paying close attention to how different parts of the system might respond or adapt. Examine the potential cultural, social, psychological, and interpersonal impacts, especially in terms of employee morale, stakeholder trust, and organizational identity. Use a cost-benefit framework to assess the financial viability and economic trade-offs involved, ensuring that the value derived outweighs the risks or investments required.
Incorporate both short-term indicators and long-term projections to form a holistic view of how the insights may guide strategic direction, support innovation, and foster sustainable growth. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that decisions are made with foresight, inclusivity, and alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, and values.
Tyler de la Plaine, PhD, CPM
Founder and Principle Consultant
Thrive Venture Consulting: bringing people and ideas together