ACA Governance

The ACA uses a Sociocracy 3.0 (S3) governance strategy. S3 is a governance framework that promotes decentralized decision-making and collaboration in organizations. Here’s how the governance structure based on Sociocracy 3.0 will look like at the Agile Coaches Alliance:

1. Mission Circle:

• Purpose: The Mission Circle is the core governing circle responsible for defining the cooperative’s mission, strategic objectives, and the overall direction of the alliance.
• Domains: The Mission Circle has the authority to make decisions on the cooperative’s mission, long-term strategies, and overarching policies. It defines the global direction and purpose of the organization.
• Accountabilities: Setting high-level strategic goals, reviewing and approving proposals from the general and department circles, and ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission.

2. General Circle:

• Purpose: The General Circle serves as the central coordinating circle that links all department circles and oversees the cooperative’s day-to-day operations.
• Domains: The General Circle has the authority to make decisions on coordination, communication, and cross-circle concerns. It ensures that the cooperative’s work is synchronized and collaborative.
• Accountabilities: Coordination of the department circles, communication across the organization, monitoring overall performance, and providing support to department circles.

3. Department Circles:

a. Operations & Products Circle:

• Purpose: This circle is responsible for the delivery of ACA Accreditations and the overall operation of the Alliance.
• Domains: Operations, product development, accreditations delivery, and continuous improvement within the accreditation process.
• Accountabilities: Overseeing the management of accreditations portfolio, ensuring the quality of ACA Products, and streamlining operational processes.

b. Finances & Legal Circle:

• Purpose: This circle is responsible for financial management, budgeting, compliance with legal regulations, and risk management.
• Domains: Financial matters, legal compliance, risk assessment, and ensuring the cooperative’s financial sustainability.
• Accountabilities: Budgeting, legal compliance, contract management, and financial reporting.

c. Marketing & Chapters Circle:

• Purpose: This circle focuses on marketing strategies, expanding the alliance’s reach, and building partnerships with local Agile communities or markets.
• Domains: Marketing, partnerships, chapter support, and promotional activities for accreditation products and the ACA brand.
• Accountabilities: Developing marketing strategies, promoting accreditation services, establishing partnerships, and supporting local Agile chapters.

d. Human Capital Circle:

• Purpose: This circle is responsible for the development and well-being of the cooperative’s human capital, including ACA Members and staff.
• Domains: Human resource development, employee well-being, talent acquisition, and fostering a culture of fellowship and high professional standards.
• Accountabilities: Implementing recruitment strategies, onboarding new members, offering professional development, fostering internal communication and promoting a culture of ethics and respect.

In this Sociocracy 3.0 governance structure, decisions are made within each circle using consent-based decision-making. The circles operate semi-autonomously within their defined domains, collaborating with one another through the General Circle to ensure alignment and coordination across the organization. This structure promotes adaptability, transparency, and distributed decision-making, aligning with the principles of Sociocracy 3.0 and the agile values that the cooperative represents.