Frameworks
232 actionable business frameworks
2-Week Convergence Audit
A step-by-step implementation process to analyze convergence in your industry and make strategic decisions. Requires 10-15 hours over two weeks, ideal...
2-Week Gene Flow Mapping Sprint
A structured 2-week process to create an organization's first gene flow map using existing data. Week 1 focuses on data collection and quantification;...
30-Day Post-Crisis Sprint
A day-by-day tactical execution roadmap integrating all five reconciliation mechanisms into a comprehensive 30-day framework, with extension to 90 day...
4-Week Restriction Sprint
A systematic implementation framework for applying caloric restriction to an organization over four weeks, with clear phases, metrics, and decision po...
4-Week Sprint to Circular Systems
A practical 4-week playbook for beginning circular economy transformation. Provides structured process with concrete deliverables to map resource flow...
90-Day Biodiversity Sprint
A tactical 90-day execution plan that translates The Biodiversity Portfolio Audit into week-by-week actions. The sprint produces a Portfolio Health Sc...
Active vs Passive Networks
Framework for deciding whether to build active (expensive, controlled, phloem-like) or passive (cheap, uncontrolled, xylem-like) distribution infrastr...
Adaptive Radiation Design
A comprehensive framework for diagnosing radiation potential, designing organizational structures that enable specialization, and managing the tension...
Allocation Flexibility Test
Stress test to determine whether an organization can reallocate resources when environment changes. Simulates crisis (revenue drops 40% overnight) and...
Architect vs. Adapter Framework
A strategic framework for deciding when to actively construct competitive environments (Architect) versus adapt to existing ones (Adapter). Helps diag...
Architecture Failure Diagnostic
A diagnostic framework for recognizing characteristic failure patterns of centralized, distributed, and hybrid architectures, enabling early intervent...
Architecture Measurement Framework
A comprehensive measurement framework providing diagnostic metrics to assess current architecture, performance indicators to evaluate if architecture...
Architecture Transition Framework
A framework for managing organizational architecture transitions (centralizing or distributing functions) with realistic 12-24 month timelines, common...
Authentic Reconciliation Framework
A five-signal framework for demonstrating authentic (vs. performative) reconciliation based on primate ability to detect insincere reconciliation atte...
Automated Cheater Detection
Framework for building automated fraud detection systems that can scale beyond human memory capacity, derived from Alibaba's $160M annual anti-counter...
Bio-Org Mapping Matrix
A synthesis table showing how biological mutualism mechanisms translate to organizational practice across four levels: Molecular, Behavioral, Ecosyste...
Biological First Principles
The meta-framework underlying the entire book series: applying literal biological mechanisms to organizational challenges. Not metaphor, not inspirati...
Boids Model
A computational model of flocking behavior developed by Craig Reynolds in 1986. The model demonstrates how complex, coordinated group behavior emerges...
Boundary Definition Process
A systematic seven-step process for determining where to draw module boundaries - which functions, components, or domains to bundle together and which...
Boundary Maintenance Audit
A diagnostic tool to identify which specific boundaries are healthy versus at-risk, enabling surgical territory decisions. Most companies under-invest...
Branch Independence Test
Annual diagnostic to evaluate whether branches are truly independent or over-reliant on trunk. Tests four dimensions: P&L, Customer, Decision-Making,...
Branching Execution Playbook
Phased implementation guide for executing a new branch after passing the Four Branching Questions. Covers 36-month timeline from trunk validation thro...
Buffett Reallocation Method
Capital allocation methodology where every dollar is reallocatable regardless of which unit generated it. All cash flows to central pool, opportunitie...
Build vs. Rent ROI Calculator
Financial calculation tool for evaluating whether to build first fulfillment center or continue using 3PL providers.
Calving Prevention Checklist
Annual checklist to identify whether your organization is at risk of forced separation under crisis. If multiple items are checked, controlled calving...
Centralization-Distribution Design
A comprehensive framework for designing organizational architectures that appropriately balance centralized and distributed control. Guides systematic...
Centralize vs Distribute Decision
A decision matrix synthesizing key factors determining whether centralization or distribution creates more value across seven dimensions: coordination...
Certainty Calibration Framework
A framework for assessing and calibrating your certainty level to determine if you're in the germination window. The optimal window is 60-75% certaint...
Cheater Detection Arms Race
Framework for managing the ongoing evolutionary arms race between detection systems and cheater tactics, recognizing that perfect detection is impossi...
Chemical Signal Alignment Playbook
A structured approach for correcting misalignment when the Four Signals Diagnostic reveals gaps between stated values and actual chemical signals.
Chemical Signal Matrix
A 2x2 framework mapping signals by Cost (how expensive/risky is this action) and Authenticity (is this signal hard to fake). Helps organizations under...
Circular Resource Systems
A comprehensive framework for designing circular systems based on biological nutrient cycling principles. Guides organizations through mapping resourc...
Co-evolution Navigation Framework
A comprehensive framework for diagnosing whether you're in an arms race, assessing whether escalation is sustainable or destructive, and identifying p...
Coalition Stability Monitor
A monitoring framework with leading indicators to track coalition health and intervene before collapse. Includes monthly metrics, quarterly stability...
Coalition vs Acquisition Decision
A decision framework to determine whether to pursue a true coalition partnership or an acquisition when considering a strategic combination. The matri...
Compatibility Screen
A filtering framework for identifying potential partners based on structural rather than cultural fit. Mutualism isn't about finding partners you trus...
Competitive Balance Framework
A diagnostic and strategic framework for assessing competitive intensity and positioning within predator-prey market dynamics. The framework helps org...
Consolation Trust Framework
A four-element framework for rebuilding trust with broader stakeholder groups through consolation behaviors, distinct from direct victim reconciliatio...
Continuous vs Periodic Restriction
A decision framework for choosing between always operating below maximum capacity (continuous restriction, like Basecamp/Patagonia) or alternating bet...
Controlled Calving Playbook
A comprehensive execution framework for separating a business unit through spinoff, divestiture, or IPO. Covers pre-announcement planning, announcemen...
Convergence Prediction Framework
A diagnostic framework for predicting whether convergence is likely in an industry and identifying which dimensions will converge versus which permit...
Coordination Mechanism Selection
A decision framework for choosing appropriate coordination mechanisms based on interface stability and strategic importance, ranging from minimal coor...
Cost-of-Movement Calculation
Framework for calculating true total cost of geographic migration, including hidden costs typically ignored. Reveals why migrations often cost 2× proj...
Costly Punishment Framework
Four-condition framework for determining whether market punishment will effectively deter cheating behavior, derived from the Chipotle food safety cas...
Costly Signal Audit
A quarterly framework for identifying which investments function as costly signals versus genuine capability building, and calculating whether they're...
Costly Signal Stage Framework
A framework defining what constitutes a 'costly signal' demonstrating authentic reconciliation commitment at different company stages, from seed to pu...
Countercurrent Exchange
A framework for architecting thermal separation between business units so they can operate at different optimal temperatures without thermal contamina...
Crew Resource Management
An acoustic communication protocol developed after the United Airlines Flight 173 disaster (1978) to prevent communication failures in high-stakes env...
Crisis Chemical Signaling Playbook
A structured approach to crisis communication based on the principle that how you respond matters more than what happened. Derived from J&J's Tylenol...
Defection Tax Framework
Mechanisms that make one-sided value extraction so costly it becomes irrational. Biology doesn't prevent cheating through contracts - it makes cheatin...
Design Structure Matrix
A visualization and analysis tool for mapping interactions between system elements (people, components, tasks) to identify clusters with dense interna...
Designing Active Teaching Systems
A five-step framework for creating effective teaching (not just passive learning) based on NYT and Hermès models of mentorship.
Detecting Intrasexual Competition
A diagnostic framework to identify whether your market involves arms race dynamics (intrasexual competition) versus customer appreciation (intersexual...
Diagnosing Runaway Selection
A diagnostic framework to determine whether business success comes from runaway selection (arbitrary culturally-transmitted preferences) versus honest...
Distributed vs Centralized Storage
A decision framework for choosing between spreading reserves across multiple locations/accounts (distributed) versus concentrating in a single defende...
Disturbance Response Playbook
Framework for responding to market disturbances that reset succession - new technology, regulatory changes, economic shocks, or pandemic-level disrupt...
Drift-Resistance Framework
A comprehensive framework for identifying when organizations are vulnerable to drift, distinguishing drift from selection in outcomes, and designing s...
Early Growth Allocation
Monthly assessment to ensure resource allocation stays aligned with survival priorities. Tracks runway, current allocation percentages, reality check...
Ecological Succession Framework
A comprehensive framework for understanding and managing organizational evolution through predictable successional stages. Organizations progress from...
Emergence Design Framework
A practical framework for recognizing emergent properties in organizations, diagnosing their underlying mechanisms, and shaping the substrates from wh...
Expansion Defendability Test
A six-question diagnostic to predict whether expansion into new territory is economically defensible given current defensive capacity. Prevents expans...
Extinction Resilience Framework
A comprehensive framework for diagnosing organizational extinction risk, building buffers against catastrophic shocks, and avoiding extinction vortice...
Fat vs. Muscle Diagnostic
A framework for determining whether cuts are eliminating waste (fat) or essential capacity (muscle). Perfect efficiency is fatal - 10-20% waste provid...
Feedback Loop Audit
A diagnostic tool for examining whether your organization's sensing system actually works. The framework addresses three questions mapping to biologic...
First 90 Days Post-Separation
Critical window framework for the highest-risk period after separation. Most value destruction (talent exodus, customer churn, operational disruption)...
Five Root System Categories
Organizations need multiple root systems, not just one. Like trees need taproots AND lateral roots, companies need depth AND breadth across five disti...
Five Survival Checkpoints
Early growth isn't continuous - it's a series of discrete survival gates. You must pass all five or die. Each checkpoint has pass conditions, measurem...
Flowering Readiness Test
A diagnostic assessment to determine whether a company is ready to transition from growth to legacy - whether through exit, IPO, succession, or major...
Four-Layer Cheater Detection
A framework for building mechanisms that detect and punish partnership cheating, based on biological models from cleaner fish reputation systems and l...
Fractal Design Framework
A comprehensive framework for designing efficient organizational fractals, diagnosing pathologies, and deciding when to prune or restructure. The fram...
Fractal Pathology Diagnostic
A diagnostic tool for identifying four common organizational fractal pathologies: over-branching (excessive hierarchy), under-branching (insufficient...
Gene Flow Decision Tree
A diagnostic decision tree for troubleshooting gene flow problems based on organizational symptoms. Routes through culture dilution, stagnation, post-...
Gene Flow Governance Framework
A comprehensive framework for strategically managing the flow of people, practices, and ideas into and out of an organization. Provides diagnostic too...
Germination Commitment Protocol
A phased timeline for executing germination once the decision is made. Maps biological germination stages to startup launch phases.
Germination Timing Matrix
A 2x2 matrix for determining the correct action based on environment readiness and founder readiness. Only one quadrant (both ready) supports germinat...
Germline Protection
A systematic approach to distinguishing invariant organizational principles (germline DNA) from context-specific adaptations (somatic) and protecting...
Good Genes Signal Design
A framework for creating honest signals where visible costly investments correlate with actual underlying quality that customers value.
Grooming Investment Calculator
A quantitative framework to calculate the minimum relationship investment (grooming period) required before value extraction in a coalition. Based on...
Hibernation Decision Framework
A 5-step diagnostic framework to determine if strategic hibernation is appropriate for your organization. It evaluates whether scarcity is temporary o...
Hibernation Decision Scorecard
A quantitative scoring system (0-100 points) to rigorously evaluate hibernation viability across five dimensions. Provides clear decision thresholds:...
Hibernation Protocol
A three-phase operational playbook for executing strategic hibernation: Entry (4 weeks), Dormancy (ongoing), and Emergence. Includes week-by-week chec...
Hierarchy Clarity Diagnostic
A 10-question diagnostic tool to assess whether an organization's hierarchy is clear or ambiguous before crisis reveals it. Most organizations don't k...
Hybrid Architecture Patterns
Four proven hybrid architecture patterns for combining centralized and distributed elements: centralized platforms with distributed execution, federat...
Infrastructure Tax Framework
Framework for deciding whether to build own infrastructure or pay network operator fees (10-30% 'infrastructure tax'). Based on principle that network...
Innovation Rate Framework
A comprehensive framework for calibrating organizational 'mutation rates' - how much to invest in exploration (innovation, R&D, experimentation) versu...
Installing Thermal Windows
A framework for pre-identifying components that can be cut to reduce temperature without damaging core operations. Creates a ranked list of 'thermal w...
Interface Specification Template
A structured template for documenting how modules interact, including inputs/outputs, timing, quality standards, decision authority, exception handlin...
Intersexual Choice Strategy Design
A framework for succeeding through customer courtship by understanding what choosing customers actually value and designing investments to address tho...
Isle Royale Principle
Sustainable competitive dynamics emerge not through permanent dominance but through oscillating balance where competitors regulate each other. Neither...
Jet Lag Protocols
A comprehensive protocol for minimizing circadian disruption from business travel, including pre-travel adjustment, in-flight strategies, and post-arr...
Keystone Analysis Framework
A systematic method for identifying and protecting the critical dependencies that structure your organization. Unlike traditional risk management (whi...
Keystone Index
A conceptual formula for measuring the disproportionate impact of a species or organizational component relative to its abundance or resource allocati...
Keystone Severity Formula
A formula that combines Keystone Index with substitutability to determine the urgency of protection needed. Keystone Severity = KI × Substitution Diff...
Knowledge Accumulation Systems
A five-step framework for creating Corning-style institutional memory that preserves knowledge across decades. Addresses tenure extension, failure doc...
Knowledge Transfer Prevention
A five-step framework for avoiding the 70% family business mortality rate, based on lessons from failed successions like Trattoria Bella Vista.
Long Tail Strategy Framework
Framework for determining when to focus on power law head (hits) versus profitably serving the aggregated long tail, based on cost structures and aggr...
Long-Cycle Preparedness Framework
A six-step framework for preparing organizations to survive cycles that exceed planning horizons, management tenure, or organizational lifespans. Base...
Maker vs Manager Schedule
A framework for recognizing and reconciling two fundamentally incompatible work schedules: maker's schedule (half-day or full-day blocks for deep work...
Managing Temperature Transitions
A framework for changing corporate operating temperature - from hot to cold (maturing startup) or cold to hot (transforming incumbent) - without killi...
Market Selection Matrix
Systematic framework for prioritizing which markets to enter once migration decision is made. Replaces gut-feel market selection with weighted scoring...
Mast Year Allocation
Cyclical resource strategy where massive investment (mast year: 80% to opportunity) alternates with recovery periods (10% to opportunity, 50% growth,...
Matrix Escape Plan
A 5-step process for converting non-transitive (circular) hierarchy to linear hierarchy. Designed for organizations trapped in Unilever-style matrix s...
Mechanism Translation Framework
The systematic three-part method used in every chapter to move from biological insight to actionable business application. Biology → Business Translat...
Merger Integration Playbook
A 5-step process for combining organizations without hierarchy chaos, based on biological principles of flock mergers. Addresses the N1×N2 contest req...
Mesh Network Transition
A month-by-month plan for transitioning from hub-and-spoke partnership models (everything flows through you) to mesh networks (partners connect peer-t...
Message Half-Life Framework
A framework for understanding how different organizational messages decay over time and designing appropriate reinforcement cadences. Different messag...
Migration Decision Matrix
Framework for determining whether to expand geographically/demographically or stay in current market. Based on biological migration economics where mo...
Modularity Design Framework
A comprehensive framework for designing and managing modular organizations, synthesizing biological principles and organizational cases into practical...
Modularity Readiness Assessment
A seven-dimension diagnostic tool for evaluating whether an organization should pursue modularity, rating conditions on a 1-5 scale to generate guidan...
Monday Morning Early Growth Audit
90-minute quarterly audit covering five key areas: cotyledon reserves, true leaves deployment, resource allocation reality check, herbivory assessment...
Monday Morning Germination Audit
A scoring diagnostic for quickly assessing germination readiness. Score 15 factors across three categories to determine whether to germinate, fix weak...
Monday Morning Gradient Audit
A structured quarterly review process to maintain phototropic discipline. Takes 120 minutes total and surfaces misalignments between resource allocati...
Monday Morning Root Audit
A quarterly diagnostic (2 hours, 4x per year = 8 hours total) to assess root system health across all five categories. Produces a Root Strength Index...
Murray's Law Networks
Framework for calculating optimal number and size of facilities in a distribution network, based on biological principle that parent vessel radius cub...
Mutation Rate Audit
A structured assessment tool for quantifying an organization's current innovation investment and comparing it to industry benchmarks and market requir...
Mutualism Design Checklist
A 22-item checklist for evaluating potential partnerships and assessing existing mutualistic relationships across four categories: Partnership Recogni...
Mutualism Design System
A comprehensive framework synthesizing biological principles and organizational practice into actionable principles for architecting partnerships wher...
Mutualistic Competition Matrix
A 2x2 matrix that helps diagnose whether competitive dynamics should shift from antagonistic to mutualistic by mapping industries along multi-homing c...
Network Analysis Worksheet
Diagnostic tool for mapping current distribution structure and identifying bottlenecks before applying Murray's Law optimization.
Network Topology Design Framework
A comprehensive methodology for diagnosing current organizational network topology, evaluating alternatives, and implementing optimal structures. The...
Niche Construction Playbook
A playbook providing specific niche construction tactics, metrics, and resource allocation guidelines for companies at different stages of growth, fro...
Niche Landscape Sprint
A structured three-week process for systematically mapping potential niches before attempting organizational radiation. Week 1 identifies potential ni...
Nurse Log Strategy
Identify and leverage infrastructure subsidies that make early growth possible - platforms, programs, and partnerships that provide resources you coul...
Operating Temperature Diagnostic
A measurement framework to accurately assess whether a company is overheating, freezing, or operating at optimal temperature before crisis hits. Uses...
Optimal Reserve Size Calculation
A calculation framework for determining how much to store, accounting for scarcity duration, consumption rate, and retrieval efficiency buffer.
Organizational Complexity Index
A diagnostic heuristic inspired by fractal dimension that relates organizational size to hierarchical depth. Measures structural complexity to identif...
Organizational Membrane
A seven-step diagnostic framework for assessing and redesigning organizational boundaries. Based on the biological principle that cells need selective...
Organizational Network Analysis
A method for mapping actual vs. formal coordination patterns in organizations, revealing where people really interact versus where the org chart says...
Organizational Prescribed Burns
An annual operating rhythm of intentional small disturbances to prevent catastrophic organizational collapse. Modeled on forest management prescribed...
Partnership Health Diagnostic
A 100-point scorecard for assessing the health of existing mutualistic partnerships across four categories: Partnership Foundation (structural fit), S...
Performance Windows Framework
A systematic approach to identifying individual and team peak performance windows based on circadian biology, then allocating tasks accordingly to max...
Phototropic Playbook
An 8-week implementation guide for executing directional growth toward detected resource gradients. Provides staged reallocation approach with feedbac...
Pioneer to Expansion Sprint
Detailed 90-day playbook for transitioning from Pioneer stage (founder-led sales, proving concept) to Early Expansion stage (building sales organizati...
Platform Independence Model
Organizational architecture model enabling adaptive radiation: ventures share infrastructure but maintain decision-making autonomy. Based on three pri...
Post-Conflict Affiliation
A four-element framework for successful corporate reconciliation based on primate post-conflict affiliation behaviors. Defines the essential component...
Power Law Capability Assessment
Framework for honestly assessing whether an organization possesses the rare capabilities required to successfully execute power law concentration stra...
Power Law Detection Methods
Practical methods for determining whether distributions truly follow power laws, distinguishing them from alternatives like log-normal or exponential...
Power Law Strategy Framework
Framework for recognizing and navigating power law distributions in organizational contexts. Guides strategic responses to extreme inequality where a...
Prosocial Leadership Transition
A 24-month phased transformation for organizations stuck in despotic patterns. Careful sequencing avoids chaos while shifting from fear-based to coali...
Pruning Trigger Template
Pre-defined criteria for when to prune a branch, established before branching begins. Prevents holding dead branches too long or pruning arbitrarily.
Quick Hibernation Self-Assessment
A rapid 10-question yes/no checklist for initial hibernation viability assessment before engaging the full framework.
Radiation Triangle
The three biological ingredients required for adaptive radiation: ecological opportunity (empty niches or access to underexploited resources), evolvab...
Reallocation Decision Tree
A decision framework for determining how much and how fast to reallocate resources when a new gradient is detected. Matches reallocation intensity and...
Red Queen Burn Rate Calculator
A financial metric that reveals whether competitive investments are escalating sustainably or driving toward exhaustion. Measures the rate at which co...
Redundancy Design Framework
A comprehensive framework for designing organizational redundancy that balances resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. Synthesizes lessons from Sing...
Redundancy Investment Decision
A 2x2 matrix for systematically determining redundancy investment levels by mapping systems against failure probability (Low <5%/year vs High >15%/yea...
Regeneration Readiness Assessment
A diagnostic tool to assess whether an organization can regenerate after crisis (layoffs, revenue collapse, near-bankruptcy, leadership exodus). Calcu...
Regeneration vs Reinvention
A 2x2 matrix for choosing between regeneration (regrow from existing roots) and reinvention (find new niche) based on root system strength and market...
Reputation Cooperation Conditions
Framework identifying the four conditions that must hold for reputation systems to create stable tit-for-tat cooperation, derived from both vampire ba...
Reputation System Playbook
Practical 8-week implementation guide for building a functioning reputation system from scratch, designed for early-stage marketplaces with limited re...
Resource Allocation Triangle
In early growth, you have three allocation choices but can only optimize two: Growth (acquire customers, expand markets, ship features), Efficiency (p...
Resource Gradient Detection Matrix
A framework for mapping organizational sensing systems to different resource types, enabling detection of the strongest growth opportunities. Just as...
Restriction Sweet Spot
A framework for determining how much to restrict resources (budget, headcount, scope) based on the biological caloric restriction curve. The optimal r...
Root Development Sequencing
You can't build all five root systems simultaneously at equal intensity. This protocol sequences infrastructure development by company stage, identify...
Root-to-Shoot Ratio Diagnostic
A diagnostic tool to calculate and assess your organization's balance between visible growth metrics (shoots) and invisible infrastructure capacity (r...
Satellite vs Territorial Decision
A decision matrix for consciously choosing between territorial defense and satellite strategy. Sometimes the best territorial strategy is no territory...
Scale-Appropriate Detection
Framework mapping appropriate cheater detection investment to company growth stage, from seed through Series B+.
Scaling Laws Diagnostic Framework
A diagnostic framework for identifying which organizational properties scale favorably versus unfavorably, diagnosing scaling inflection points, and d...
Scored Calibration Framework
A quantitative scoring system to calculate target annual migration rate based on three dimensions: strategy differentiation needs (1-5), environmental...
Seasonal Resource Allocation
A framework for modulating resource allocation based on predictable business cycles - matching staffing, marketing spend, and work intensity to demand...
Sequencing Strategy Framework
Framework for choosing between all-at-once migration (Airbnb model: 50+ countries in 2-3 years) vs stepwise migration (Spotify model: 1 country per qu...
Shared Fate Architecture
Partnership structures where interests align so completely that exploitation becomes self-defeating. The best partnerships don't require trust - they...
Shared Infrastructure
A framework for designing, contributing to, and leveraging network infrastructure that enables collective coordination while maintaining individual au...
Signal Credibility Scorecard
A 10-point scoring system to assess whether a proposed quality signal will be believed by target customers before investing significant resources.
Span of Control Optimization
A heuristic framework for determining optimal number of direct reports per manager, inspired by Murray's Law's optimization of biological branching ra...
Status Signal Design Framework
A framework for designing organizational status signals that maintain hierarchy without constant conflict. Based on biological principles where good s...
Strategic Radiation Triangle
The organizational analog to the biological Radiation Triangle. Three ingredients for organizational adaptive radiation: market opportunity (underserv...
Stress Accumulation Diagnostic
A 90-point diagnostic tool for evaluating whether a business unit should be separated from its parent organization. Measures stress across three dimen...
Succession Stages Model
Framework for diagnosing which succession stage your company or market occupies, then matching strategy accordingly. Just as ecological succession fol...
Succession Trap Diagnostic
Diagnostic tool to determine if you're stuck in a Succession Trap - where your current success creates conditions that prevent future adaptation.
Successional Stage Diagnostic
A quantitative and qualitative diagnostic tool for determining an organization's current successional stage. Uses metrics like annual revenue, growth...
Survival Playbook
Five-step protocol for companies failing early growth checkpoints. Takes 14 weeks with clear decision points.
Territory Economics Calculator
A diagnostic framework for calculating whether territorial defense costs are sustainable relative to territory value. Produces a Defensive Intensity R...
The 100-Unit Rule
Total energy (resources) equals exactly 100 units. Survival + Growth + Profitability cannot exceed 100%. Biology enforces this constraint absolutely -...
The 70-20-10 Rule
A resource allocation framework for diversifying innovation investments across three risk categories: 70% Core Business (maintain and optimize existin...
The 70% Solution Diagnostic
A diagnostic tool for identifying which inefficiencies are ecosystem investments (forests) versus pure waste, based on evolution's optimization for 70...
The Albatross Search
A decision framework for choosing between random walk and Lévy flight search strategies based on how resources are distributed in the market. Matches...
The Biodiversity Portfolio Audit
A systematic six-step framework for diagnosing portfolio fragility, designing stabilizing diversity, and implementing portfolio resilience through org...
The Coalition Architecture Design
Intentional design of coalition structures preventing both despotism and chaos. Based on the Minimum Winning Coalition principle from political scienc...
The Coppice Cycle
A three-phase regeneration execution playbook modeled on how coppiced trees regrow from surviving root systems. For organizations with Regeneration Re...
The Critical Mass Framework
A framework for engineering social crystallization in organizations: detecting when critical mass is reached, triggering collective action at the righ...
The DNA Replication Framework
A comprehensive 7-step framework for organizational replication that ensures companies copy what actually matters (genotype) rather than surface-level...
The Dominance Diagnostic
Monthly 15-minute health check monitoring despotism, prosocial, and chaos indicators. Acts as 'check engine light' for leadership culture - catches dr...
The Ecosystem Diagnostic
A seven-step audit for diagnosing your true position in a business ecosystem, identifying critical dependencies, and designing strategy based on ecolo...
The Enforcement Rule
The principle that cooperation persists only when networks actively enforce reciprocity through sanctioning (punishing cheaters) and partner choice (r...
The Four Branching Questions
Decision framework for evaluating whether to branch into a new business unit, geography, or product line. Based on biological principles of apical dom...
The Four Frequencies Framework
A framework for structuring organizational acoustic communication based on biological principles. Organizations need four distinct acoustic communicat...
The Four Replication Strategies
A strategic framework mapping four biological reproductive strategies to business growth modes. Each strategy has distinct use cases, advantages, risk...
The Four Signals Diagnostic
A systematic framework for auditing organizational chemical signals across four dimensions to identify misalignment between stated values and actual b...
The Four Walls of Growth
A diagnostic framework for identifying which type of growth limit a company is hitting. Every company hits growth limits - the question isn't if you'l...
The Genome Compatibility Test
A diagnostic framework for assessing whether your organization can successfully integrate capabilities from other industries through horizontal transf...
The Genotype Audit
A diagnostic tool for distinguishing organizational DNA from phenotype. Uses four key questions to test whether each element of your operating model i...
The Growth Plate Diagnostic
A six-question diagnostic framework that translates biological growth mechanisms into actionable business assessment. It reveals whether your growth i...
The Junco's Risk Threshold
A framework for calibrating risk appetite based on current reserves relative to survival threshold. Determines when to shift between risk-averse optim...
The Leadership Currency Audit
A 90-minute diagnostic sprint to map actual vs. formal power sources in your organization. Identifies whether your leadership model is despotic (>70%...
The Limit Adaptation Playbook
A 5-step process for recognizing growth limits, quantifying them, choosing adaptation strategy, executing, and reassessing. Includes three adaptation...
The Metabolic Efficiency Audit
A seven-question diagnostic framework that reveals whether your organization's metabolism is sustainable, efficient, and flexible. Based on biological...
The Murmuration Method
A framework for designing distributed coordination systems where global coordination emerges from local interactions, without sacrificing safety, qual...
The Natural Selection Audit
A comprehensive 7-step framework for identifying which variants in your organization are under selection pressure, which are thriving, and which shoul...
The Nurse Log Principle
Sustainable systems design death into life, transforming waste into wealth, and closing loops so outputs become inputs. When nutrients or resources fl...
The Peacock's Test
A four-tier framework for signal verification that helps leaders design honest signals that resist skepticism and verify incoming signals to avoid exp...
The Prairie Dog Protocol
A comprehensive framework for building organizational crisis alarm systems based on biological alarm call principles. Like prairie dogs encoding preda...
The Reliability Paradox Matrix
A 2×2 matrix with Visibility (how much attention it receives) on one axis and Impact (consequence if lost) on the other. The danger zone is the upper-...
The Root System Test
Component of Regeneration Readiness Assessment that evaluates whether fundamental organizational value (brand equity, customer relationships, core cap...
The Salmon Dichotomy
Two fundamental allocation strategies for resource-constrained environments, neither inherently better, both optimized for different conditions. Pacif...
The Shore Crab Decision
A framework for deciding which customers, markets, or products to pursue based on value per unit effort, inspired by how shore crabs select mussel siz...
The Starling's Algorithm
A framework for deciding when to exit a customer, market, or product by comparing marginal value of continued engagement against opportunity cost of a...
The Storage Decision Matrix
A decision framework for evaluating whether to build reserves (cash, inventory, capacity) or operate on immediate consumption for any given resource.
The Succession Architecture
A 5-7 year knowledge transfer process modeled on elephant matriarchs. Creates gradual transitions preventing power vacuums. Critical threshold: succes...
The Symbiosis Strategy Matrix
A comprehensive framework for designing mutually beneficial business relationships based on biological symbiosis principles. Helps determine which par...
The Three-Question Mutualism Test
A rapid diagnostic to classify any business relationship as mutualism, commensalism, or parasitism based on three fundamental questions about value cr...
The Yellowstone Protocol
A systematic framework for deliberate organizational decomposition - extracting value from failed projects, obsolete products, and declining businesse...
Third-Party Cheater Detection
Framework for addressing the unique dynamics when watchdogs (auditors, inspectors, regulators) themselves become cheaters, derived from the Arthur And...
Three Reproductive Strategies
A framework for choosing how to transition from growth to legacy based on organizational biology and environment. The three strategies - monocarpic, p...
Three-Gate Germination Audit
A diagnostic framework for deciding whether to launch (germinate) a startup, product, or initiative. All three gates must show green before committing...
Three-Party Coalition Design
A design framework for creating stable three-party coalitions by ensuring no two-party sub-coalition is viable. Based on biological observations that...
Three-Way Trade-Off Diagnostic
Diagnostic framework for classifying expenses and mapping current allocation across survival (operations), growth (investment), and profitability (ret...
Timing Reconciliation Framework
A four-principle framework for optimizing reconciliation timing based on the biological finding that delayed reconciliation allows relationship damage...
Toyota Production System
A comprehensive system for optimizing organizational metabolism by systematically eliminating waste (muda). TPS achieves metabolic efficiency at scale...
Transition Triggers Diagnostic
A diagnostic tool for identifying when an organization needs to initiate a stage transition. Uses a '3 of 5' threshold rule - if you answer 'yes' to a...
Transmitting Cultural Knowledge
A five-step framework for preserving and transmitting organizational culture across generations, based on IKEA's Testament model.
Transplant Survival Protocol
If you must transplant (acquisition, merger, major pivot), expect 1-3 years of disrupted growth. This protocol guides organizations through the four p...
Trunk Strength Scorecard
Quantitative assessment tool to evaluate whether core business is strong enough to support branching. Scores five dimensions 0-2 points each for total...
Twelve-Week Restructuring
A structured timeline for transitioning parasitic business relationships to mutualism - or preparing for controlled exit. For when you're trapped in e...
Twenty Warning Signs
Dynamic monitoring checklist of 20 indicators that signal increasing extinction risk. Unlike the static vulnerability audit, this tracks changes over...
Twenty-Four Hour Response
A three-phase implementation playbook for building crisis response infrastructure before crisis hits. The difference between J&J's 24-hour response an...
Uncertainty Typology
A classification system for different types of uncertainty that require different redundancy strategies: known unknowns (risk), unknown unknowns (unce...
Unreconciled Conflict Costs
A four-step framework for calculating whether reconciliation is worth the cost by quantifying direct, opportunity, and long-term costs of unresolved c...
Utilizing Grandmothers
A framework for capturing knowledge value from post-peak-productivity employees, based on the biological grandmother hypothesis and Hermès master craf...
Visual Honesty Framework
A framework for auditing organizational visual communication and ensuring signals are honest, costly, and strategically intentional. Based on biologic...
Vulnerability Audit
Systematic assessment of organizational vulnerability to extinction by evaluating intrinsic factors (internal weaknesses) and extrinsic factors (envir...
Watts-Strogatz Model
Mathematical model formalizing small-world networks through a rewiring process: start with a regular ring lattice (each node connects to k nearest nei...