About RPM

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Written by Peter Razenberg

Razenberg Polarity Management

The 'Razenberg Polarity Management' methodology (RPM) is based on the assumption that the forces we witness in nature (e.g. the tides, the weather) with peaks and lows are also applicable to organisations. In organisations we observe internal en external dynamics (e.g. workload fluctuations, demand trends) causing unwanted irregular performance output if the right level of control is not applied. The RPM model identifies the following 3 basic polarity principles for organisations:
  1. Organisations are in constant state of fluctuation as result of internal and external forces
  2. The fluctuations are consistently moving towards and around a natural equilibrium
  3. Controlling the level of the peaks and lows is the key to business success
It is important to note that fluctuations can not be completely eliminated as they are an essential driver for business development. You could say that an organisation without motion is like a human without a heartbeat, but although the health of the organisation's heartbeat will determine it's ability to create momentum it does not guarantee that the business will actually progress to a next level of maturity.

 "Don't confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but doesn't make any progress", Alfred Montapert

The objective of the model for this reason is not to create a constant state of balance rather a state of 'fluctuation stability'. This state can be achieved by identifying internal/external threats and resolve or mitigate their impact on the overall business. In the RPM model 8 business perspectives are considered for the purpose of analysing the current business state of 'fluctuation stability' which will allow management to quickly indentify threats/risks and suggest areas for improvement to reach a state of 'operational excellence.'

The eight key business perspectives are:
  1. Strategy and Operations
  2. Objectives and Perceptions
  3. Structure and People
  4. Process and Innovation
On this website you will find more information on how the model works and how you can use it to help your organisation to further develop towards a state of 'operational excellence'. On-line analysis tools, downloads and articles on this website are free to use and re-publish but if you choose to do so you are asked to refer back to the RPM model, this website and author.Thanks in advance.