Vertical and horizontal alignment (Fombrun)

As an L&D manager, it is important to align learning and development initiatives with both organizational goals and other HR domains. An effective HR and L&D strategy must be embedded in the strategic HRM framework, which consists of the processes, decisions and choices regarding an organization's human capital. In addition, this strategy must align with the overarching organizational goals, which is known as vertical alignment.

In addition, the various HR components (such as recruitment and selection, onboarding, learning and development, and assessment and compensation) must be aligned. This means that the same vision and principles are consistently implemented in all HR activities, which is called horizontal alignment.

Model of Fombrun

Fombrun's model emphasizes the importance of a consistent and coordinated approach within organizations. Both vertical and horizontal alignment are critical to the success and optimization of employee performance. This alignment ensures that individual behaviors contribute to strategic objectives and promotes collaboration between different HR initiatives, both within teams and between departments.

• Vertical alignment: This refers to the alignment between learning initiatives and HR and organizational strategy.

• Horizontal alignment: This refers to the alignment between learning initiatives and other HR domains within the HR cycle.  

Examples of vertical alignment

1. Innovation focus: An organization that sees innovation as a strategic advantage invests in training that gives employees the necessary tools to keep up with innovations and industry trends. Employees are given time for experimentation and innovation projects.

2. Growth Strategy: For an organization focused on growth, it is important to develop account managers in commercial skills through individual coaching and n+1 meetings.

3. Product leadership: At Obelisk, we focus on quality and content expertise. Our learning policy therefore includes strong external trainers with academic links and a limited focus on topics.

4. Cost efficiency: An organization with a cost-cutting strategy can offer a learning journey around lean & agile customer journey for all project management roles.

Practical application

Examples of horizontal alignment

5. Team-oriented work: A hospital that emphasizes team orientation in job postings and rewards team goals with bonuses, rather than individual performance.

6. Coaching team leads: An IT consultancy strengthens team leads in coaching skills and evaluates them not only on quantitative results, but also on efforts in team coaching.

7. Growth potential: At Obelisk, we focus on behavioral traits and experience in selection interviews, not primarily on degrees. In our appraisal policy, degree plays no role in the pay scale.

5 critical questions for your organization

8. Do you know the organizational strategy? Is it clear to you as an L&D professional what the organization stands for and wants to move toward in the coming years?

9. Contribution to organizational strategy? With each L&D initiative, ask yourself, "How does this initiative contribute to organizational strategy?"

10. Training offerings and organizational strategy: Do the courses in your open offerings contribute to organizational strategy?

11. Coherence with Other HR Domains? Dare to look outside your L&D team and look for coherence with other HR domains.

12. Strategic core competencies? Do you have strategic core competencies that can be the basis for all HR and L&D initiatives?

By applying both vertical and horizontal alignment, L&D professionals can ensure that their initiatives not only align with the organization's strategic goals, but also contribute to a coherent and effective HR strategy.

Contact us for customized training

Want your L&D initiatives perfectly aligned with your organization's strategic goals? At Obelisk, we help develop learning paths that contribute to your organizational success. Contact us today and find out how we can strengthen your HR strategy.

Listen to our podcast (13:25 - 18:35) to hear managing director Helen Goovaerts and senior trainer Liesbeth talk about these alignments. They also zoom in on two examples of vertical and horizontal alignments.

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