In a recent LinkedIn post, Francisco Gaffney, a board advisor, proposes a strategic approach for businesses to identify and resolve critical operational bottlenecks and recurring errors. Gaffney emphasizes the importance of proactively understanding a company’s control mechanisms rather than simply reacting to issues after they arise.
He outlines a method for collecting a comprehensive ‘current control picture,’ which involves gathering specific data points across various business functions. Gaffney states:
“This means gathering incident stories, approval maps, live projects, recurring meetings, cyber exposure, supplier risk, delivery misses, and friction points.”
Visualizing the Control Picture for Enhanced Decision-Making
According to Francisco Gaffney, the immediate next step after collecting this data is to ask targeted questions designed to reveal inefficiencies. He highlights the need to pinpoint areas where the business flow is impeded, leading to delays and frustration.
Identifying Decision Sticking Points
Gaffney poses a critical question for business leaders to consider: “Where do decisions get stuck?” This question directly addresses the often-invisible processes that slow down progress. By understanding these choke points, leadership can begin to implement solutions that streamline operations and improve agility.
Addressing Recurring Errors and Over-Approval
Beyond decision delays, Gaffney also points to the significance of identifying and rectifying repeated mistakes. He asks, “Where do errors repeat?” and “Where are founders approving too much?” These inquiries are crucial for preventing the same issues from resurfacing, which can drain resources and damage credibility. Gaffney suggests that excessive founder approval, while sometimes stemming from a desire for control, can often become a bottleneck itself.
“Where is risk discussed and avoided?”
Furthermore, Gaffney stresses the importance of evaluating how risks are managed within the organization. By examining instances where potential risks are identified but not effectively addressed or mitigated, businesses can build more robust risk management frameworks. This proactive stance is essential for long-term stability and growth.
The Power of Visibility in Business Operations
The core benefit of Gaffney’s proposed method, as he explains, is the creation of much-needed visibility. He argues that this detailed control picture is not merely an academic exercise but a practical tool for effective management.
“This creates visibility and allows you to respond, not just react.”
In essence, Gaffney advocates for a data-driven, analytical approach to understanding business operations. By meticulously mapping out current processes, identifying points of friction, and questioning the status quo, leaders can move from a reactive posture to a more strategic and responsive operational model. This enhanced visibility, Gaffney concludes, is key to unlocking a business’s full potential and ensuring sustainable success.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Francisco Gaffney on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →