Organizational Network Analysis (ONA)

Workplace Effectiveness Change Architecture Organizational Network Analysis
Organizational Assessment Strategic Planning

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.

Organizational Analysis chart Expectation vs. Reality

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

Value of Organizational Network Analysis

From “Change Readiness” to Network Readiness

Traditional Readiness vs. Network Readiness

ONA sets the stage for change success—before formal announcements are made.

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.

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

6 Habits to Help Your Team Reach Their Full Potential

By Megan McGlothin | October 24, 2023

When a working team reaches its full potential, the workplace quickly becomes a more collaborative and productive place where business goals are easily reached. Successfully leading a team requires a different set of skills than managing. Leading is more about the people—supporting them in their daily tasks, helping them develop and hone their natural skills […]

How Executive Coaching Enhances Profitability

By Megan McGlothin | September 28, 2023

For most organizations, profitability is the primary goal. While there are countless strategies and tactics employed to boost profitability, an often overlooked and very effective route is executive coaching. The transformative process of executive coaching focuses on developing the leadership mindset and skills of top-level executives. This enables them to drive business success and maximize […]

How to Strengthen Belonging: Four Keys to Overcome Voluntary Turnover

By Kittie Watson | September 18, 2023

What if a third of your workforce walked out the door tomorrow? A new survey by Bankrate suggests that over 37% of employees say they’ll be looking for a new job in the next twelve months. With the high cost of voluntary turnover, organizations need to reconsider how to create high-integrity workplaces and cultures where employees […]