worksystems.design/Essentials/Integrated - Aligned

Integrated - Aligned

Part of
FL3 Connection Patterns
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Key Info
Integrated - Aligned describes a single integrated work system with coordinated areas for organizations managing multiple products/services, emphasizing transparency and active coherence management.
Workflow
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All three Flight Levels (FL3 strategy, FL2 coordination, FL1 operations) are on a single integrated work system with coordinated areas for transparency.
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What This Pattern Is

All three Flight Levels (FL3 strategy, FL2 coordination, FL1 operations) are on a single integrated work system with coordinated areas, because you have multiple products or service areas but still want complete transparency. The key difference from Pattern 4a: You add coordinated areas to separate different areas.
This is the single integrated work system with coordinated areas for organizations managing multiple products/services with active coherence management.

How It Works

Imagine one integrated work system with coordinated areas (Product A, Product B, Platform) and three rows (FL3, FL2, FL1). Each swimlane contains strategic items, coordination initiatives, and operational tasks for that area.
Everyone still sees the full board—complete transparency on how strategy flows to execution. But swimlanes keep things organized when you have multiple areas working simultaneously.
Example: Small company with 60 people, three product lines (CRM, Analytics, Integration). The leadership team creates FL3 outcomes for each product. Coordination happens at FL2 within each product's swimlane. Operations happen at FL1 within those swimlanes. One integrated work system, multiple product areas, full visibility.
Key dynamic: Active coherence management. Even though each coordinated area is somewhat independent, the shared integrated system and regular reviews ensure all areas move toward the same strategic outcomes. It's not autonomy—it's alignment with transparency.

Typical Use

Use this pattern when:
  • You have multiple products or service areas (typically 2–4)
  • You're medium-sized (typically 50–100 people)
  • You want one integrated view of all strategic flow
  • You need coordination across areas but still want transparency
  • Active management of strategy coherence across areas is important
Real-world examples:
  • SaaS company with multiple products (CRM, Analytics, Marketplace)
  • Agency with multiple service lines (Strategy, Design, Engineering)
  • Company with platform + multiple product teams

Key Characteristics

  • Single Integrated Work System with Coordinated Areas: Separate areas (products, services, functions), but all in one integrated work system
  • FL3, FL2, FL1 visible: Complete transparency on strategy-to-execution flow for each area
  • Overlapping teams: Some people work across coordinated areas (leadership, platform teams)
  • Autonomy: Medium—each area has independence within strategic boundaries
  • Coordination: Active—regular cross-area reviews to maintain strategic alignment
  • Size: Best for 50–100 person organizations

When to Evolve

As you grow and areas become more independent, you might evolve to
Common Strategy with separate coordination systems per area. Or if you develop subsidiaries with their own strategies, you might move to
Inherited Strategies or
Inherited - Integrated - Aligned Integration – Aligned).

Key Difference from Integrated - Independent

Integrated - Independent: One product, minimal strategy management.
Integrated - Aligned: Multiple products products, active coordination maintains alignment. The difference is management approach, not visual structure.