Organizational Network Analysis (ONA)
See How Work Really Gets Done—Before Your Next Change
Informal networks drive up to 80% of performance. Yet most leaders plan change as if formal structure is what matters.
Organizational Network Analysis (ONA) makes invisible networks visible—so leaders can see how information, influence and work actually flow across the enterprise.
What ONA Reveals That Traditional Analytics Miss
Drawing on leading research in systems and network dynamics, ONA shows how people truly:
- Collaborate across boundaries
- Share (or withhold) information
- Solve problems when pressure rises
- Influence decisions and adoption
- Get work done—despite formal processes
Instead of averages, ONA exposes structural differences that drive outcomes: overload, bottlenecks, fragility and untapped resilience.
What Leaders Learn—Quickly and Credibly
ONA surfaces what leaders need to know but rarely see:
- Who people actually go to for decisions and problem-solving
- Where hidden risks and points of failure live
- Which subject matter experts are isolated or underutilized
- How communication really moves across silos
- Who holds informal power and influence
- Why some changes spread—and others stall
- Where innovation and knowledge sharing break down
From “Change Readiness” to Network Readiness
Traditional readiness asks:
- Are people aware?
- Do they agree?
- Are leaders aligned?
ONA sets the stage for change success—before formal announcements are made.
How ONA Works (Without Survey Fatigue)
Ahead of a transformation, we:
- Map informal influencers, sense-makers, and blockers
- Identify a small, credible “change spine” instead of hoping mass communication works
- Surface assets and liabilities in your change network
A focused ONA—often as few as 10 questions over 2–3 weeks to reveal where change will accelerate or fracture.
The Questions Leaders Need Answers To
- “Who do people turn to to make sense of major change?”
- “Whose support actually determines success?”
- “Who moves work forward when implementation stalls?”
- “Who raises concerns early—and helps teams adapt?”
ONA answers these questions with evidence—before consequences show up in results.
Ready to See Your Organization Clearly?
If you’re planning a transformation—or wondering why past ones stalled—ONA provides the insight leaders need to act with confidence.
♦ Talk with Innolect about an Organizational Network Analysis
♦ Or read our article in Strategy+Business: Using a Network Strategy to Align a Multinational Organization
Explore Recent Blogs
Are Monsters Growing within Leadership Environments?
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” Winston Churchill “As a leader, am I wise enough to admit I don’t know what I don’t know and fix it?” Many of you have read Mary Shelley’s, Frankenstein. Readers often question who the “real” monster was in the book. […]
The Struggles of Middle Managers in Today’s Corporate World
In the dynamic landscape of modern business, middle managers often find themselves in challenging positions. They are the crucial link between senior leadership and frontline employees, yet their roles are frequently undervalued and misunderstood. Let’s delve into why middle managers are struggling and how this impacts organizational retention: The Middle Manager’s Dilemma Middle managers are […]
Navigate Leadership Polarities: Unlock the Power of Both/And Thinking
Whether working in corporations, government agencies, nonprofits or a family business, managers are struggling. The struggle is often exacerbated when a child works in the shadow of a parent-owner. Employees notice when rising generation leaders strive to lead differently than their role model parents. And they may lose confidence and/or begin to privately question whether […]
Our Services
Growing
Teams
Learn More:
Growing
Organizations
Keynote Presentations &
Webinars
