How to Read an OGSM
Understanding the Flow
An OGSM tells a story from top to bottom. As a Yellow Belt, your job is to understand that story and see where you fit in. Click each point to learn how.
Top-Down: From Vision to Action
Always start reading an OGSM from the top. The Objective gives you the big picture. The Goals tell you the main targets. The Strategies explain the approach. Finally, the Measures and Actions show you the specific work being done. This top-down flow ensures you always have context for your tasks.
Left-to-Right: The Logic Flow
Within a single strategy, you will often see a left-to-right flow. A Strategy on the left will be supported by Measures and Actions to its right. This helps you see how specific activities are designed to deliver on a particular strategic choice. It shows direct alignment.
Finding Your Place: Connecting Your Work
Your main task as a Yellow Belt is to find the specific **Actions** you own or support. By reading the OGSM from the top down, you can trace your Action all the way back up to the overall Objective. This is powerful—it means you can confidently say, “The work I am doing this week helps our company achieve its main vision.”
