The Signal Portfolio Audit
A systematic framework for auditing organizational chemical signals across four dimensions to identify misalignment between stated values and actual behaviors.
A systematic framework for auditing organizational signals across four dimensions (compensation, time, budget, hiring) to identify misalignment between stated values and actual behaviors. Most companies audit finances quarterly but few audit their signals - yet these shape behavior more powerfully than any mission statement.
When to Use The Signal Portfolio Audit
Use quarterly to discover what your organization actually signals vs. what you think it signals - audits compensation, leadership time, budget allocation, and hiring patterns to reveal the gap between stated and actual values.
How to Apply
Compensation & Promotion Signals
Audit who gets promoted, bonuses, and raises. Track last 20 promotions and identify patterns. Compare to stated values.
Questions to Ask
- Did promoted employees work long hours or deliver results efficiently?
- Did they collaborate or compete with peers?
- Did they hit short-term metrics or build long-term value?
Outputs
- Alignment score between stated values and promotion patterns
- List of pattern discrepancies
Leadership Time Allocation Signals
Audit executive calendars for last 30 days. Categorize time: Customers, Product, People, Investors, Operations, External. Compare to stated priorities.
Questions to Ask
- What percentage of CEO time goes to each category?
- Does allocation match stated strategy?
- If strategy says 'product-first,' is 30%+ on product?
Outputs
- Time allocation breakdown by category
- Gap analysis vs stated priorities
Budget Allocation Signals
Pull P&L breakdown by department for last 24 months. Calculate year-over-year changes. Compare growth rates to strategy claims.
Questions to Ask
- What percentage goes to R&D, Sales, Marketing, Operations?
- What grew fastest? What got cut?
- Do budget shifts align with stated strategic priorities?
Outputs
- Budget allocation percentages
- YoY growth rates by function
- Strategy-budget alignment score
Hiring & Firing Pattern Signals
Analyze last 30 hires and 15 departures. Track company backgrounds, education, demographics, departure reasons.
Questions to Ask
- What % of hires from same 1-3 companies vs diverse sources?
- What % from top-10 schools vs broader backgrounds?
- Why did people leave? What patterns in exit interviews?
Outputs
- Hiring source diversity metrics
- Departure pattern analysis
- Culture-fit signal assessment