All systems aligned. Columns: Task → Current Status → Next Steps + Global Timeline Standard
PHASE 0 — RUNWAY + CORE ANCHOR
(Weeks 0–4)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge Support ($1000/core, 4h/day → 8h by Month 3) | ⚠️ Emerging | Formalise contributors + flow → 1–2 weeks (global early-stage standard: immediate runway lock) |
| Time Commitment Structure | ⚠️ Informal | Fix daily contribution expectations → 1 week |
| Weekly Operating Rhythm (You, Rea, Nancy) | ⚠️ Informal | Fix weekly cadence + outputs → 1 week |
| Functions Defined (not roles) | ❌ Not defined | Define 5–6 core functions → 1–2 weeks |
| Legal Structure (Don) | ⚠️ Available, not structured | Define contract + liability + IP → 2–3 weeks (global standard: pre-client engagement) |
| Accountant Attached to Gola | ❌ Not secured | Identify + onboard → 2–4 weeks |
| Standard Contract Template | ⚠️ Assumed | Finalise base contract → 1–2 weeks |
| Financial Tracking System | ❌ Not structured | Basic accounting + separation → 2 weeks |
PHASE 1 — INTERNAL TEAM BUILD
(Weeks 2–8)
(Includes INTERNAL TFD training — correct placement)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Activities Mapping (within/across functions) | ❌ Not mapped | Map operational flow → 2–3 weeks |
| KRA Structure | ❌ Not built | Define outcomes per function → 3–4 weeks (global consulting standard: early-stage design) |
| Team Mapping (people → functions) | ⚠️ Observed | Light placement → 1–2 weeks |
| INTERNAL TFD TRAINING | ⚠️ Informal | Structured refresh sessions → 4–6 weeks cycle |
| Remuneration Logic (KRA-based) | ⚠️ Concept | Build draft model → 4–6 weeks |
| Revenue Allocation Model (%) | ❌ Not defined | Define % bands → 3–4 weeks |
PHASE 2 — RESEARCH & DATA SYSTEM PREPARATION
(Weeks 4–12)
(Correct epistemic order — data first)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| System Data Sources Identified | ⚠️ Known | Map ministries + datasets → 2–4 weeks |
| Research Arm Structure | ⚠️ Concept | Define roles + flow → 3–4 weeks |
| Data Management System (Nancy) | ❌ Not structured | Build intake + control → 3–5 weeks |
| AI Knowledge System (M365) | ❌ Not operational | Set up + tagging → 3–6 weeks |
| BOT Framework Prepared | ⚠️ Known | Build templates → 2–3 weeks |
PHASE 3 — COUNTRY ENTRY
(Weeks 6–12)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Narrative (10 min) | ⚠️ Not final | Finalise → 1–2 weeks |
| Leadership Note (1-page) | ⚠️ Draft | Finalise → 1 week |
| Ndaba Engagement | ⚠️ Pending | Initiate + follow-up → 2–6 weeks typical political response window |
| Legal Readiness for Engagement | ⚠️ Partial | Confirm contracting readiness → parallel |
| Presidency Sightline | ❌ Not reached | Allow emergence → variable (4–12 weeks typical) |
PHASE 4 — NATIONAL TRAINING SPINE
(5 MONTHS — FIXED DESIGN)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Programme Structuring (5 × week sessions) | ⚠️ Your model exists | Align logistics + participants → 4–6 weeks prep |
| Participant Identification (Ministers, PS, etc.) | ❌ Not finalised | Confirm cohort → 4–8 weeks |
| Session Execution (5 months) | ❌ Not started | Deliver programme → 20–24 weeks (fixed) |
| Between-Session Observation | ❌ Not structured | Define expectations → before programme start |
| Participant Tracking (capability) | ❌ Not built | Build system → 3–5 weeks setup |
PHASE 5 — RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT
(Emerges during & after training)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Early Research Signals (during training) | ❌ Not structured | Capture observations → ongoing during 5 months |
| Data Engagement with Ministries | ❌ Not active | Formalise data access → 8–16 weeks typical |
| BOT Development | ⚠️ Concept | Build from real data → 6–12 weeks |
| Archetype Identification | ⚠️ Your strength | Validate structures → 6–10 weeks |
| Cross-Sector Linkage | ❌ Not built | Integrate sectors → 8–12 weeks |
PHASE 6 — STEWARD STRATEGY LABS
(Months 6–9)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Minister + Dikgosi Engagement | ❌ Not started | Facilitate labs → 4–8 weeks cycles |
| Strategy Co-Creation | ❌ Not started | Develop structural strategies → 6–12 weeks |
| Community Linkage | ❌ Not started | Extend to households → 8–16 weeks |
PHASE 7 — SYSTEM MATURATION
(Months 7–12)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study Development (Live) | ⚠️ Exists | Structure into formats → 8–12 weeks |
| Ongoing Marketing (Substance-led) | ⚠️ Active | Weekly publication → continuous |
| Team Capacity Expansion | ⚠️ Early | Add roles gradually → 3–6 months |
| Financial Stabilisation | ❌ Not reached | Replace bridge with contracts → 6–12 months |
PHASE 8 — REGION → GLOBAL
(Months 9–18)
| CHECKPOINT | CURRENT STATUS | NEXT STEPS + GLOBAL TIMELINE STANDARD |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Mapping (3 countries) | ❌ Not defined | Identify entry points → 4–8 weeks |
| Regional Entry | ❌ Not started | Relationship-led entry → 3–6 months typical |
| Global Positioning | ❌ Not prepared | Build narrative + case → 3–6 months |
| Institutional Engagement (global) | ❌ Not started | Selective entry → 6–12 months |
FINAL LINE
This is now no longer a plan.
👉 It is a buildable system with timing, structure, and discipline aligned.
Understood, Ms Sheila Damodaran.
Locked in — no drift.
KRA CLARITY (FIXED)
YOU
▪️ Structure
▪️ Entry (Ndaba, Presidency)
▪️ Research direction
▪️ Final interpretation
REA (CRITICAL — NOW PRIMARY ENGINE)
▪️ Bridge support (non-negotiable)
▪️ Engagement tracking
▪️ Participant tracking (light)
▪️ Coordination
👉 Rea carries cash + flow
NANCY (DEFERRED)
▪️ Research administration
▪️ Data systems
👉 Not active in this 14-day sprint
REBUILT 14-DAY SPRINT
March 31 – April 15, 2026
Bridge-first. Two-person execution (You + Rea).
SPRINT OUTCOMES (ONLY THESE 4)
Bridge support secured (minimum 30–60 day certainty)
Ndaba entry ready and initiated
KRA draft (core functions)
Engagement tracking live
WEEK 1 (DAYS 1–7)
No compromise: cash first
REA (PRIMARY — NON-NEGOTIABLE FOCUS)
Day 1–3
▪️ Send 5–8 targeted bridge support asks
▪️ Track:
- who
- amount
- response
- follow-up
👉 Output:
At least 3–4 active conversations
Day 4–7
▪️ Follow up daily
▪️ Push toward:
- confirmation
- timeline
- transfer
👉 Output:
At least 1 committed support flow
YOU
Day 1–2
▪️ Finalise:
- 10-min Ndaba narrative
- 1-page leadership note
Day 3–5
▪️ Define:
- Core functions
- 1–2 KRAs per function
Day 6–7
▪️ Review Rea’s outreach:
- sharpen messaging if needed
- intervene only if necessary
JOINT (YOU + REA)
Day 5–7
▪️ Build Engagement Tracker
Simple:
| Name | Type | Stage | Last Action | Next Step |
WEEK 1 OUTPUT
By Day 7:
✅ Multiple bridge conversations active
✅ At least 1 committed support
✅ Ndaba materials ready
✅ KRA draft exists
✅ Engagement tracker live
WEEK 2 (DAYS 8–14)
Convert + move
REA (STILL PRIMARY)
Day 8–10
▪️ Close remaining support
▪️ Confirm:
- amounts
- timing
- continuity
👉 Output:
Minimum 30-day runway secured
Day 11–14
▪️ Maintain tracker
▪️ Continue relationship flow
YOU
Day 8–10
▪️ Initiate Ndaba engagement
▪️ Begin 1–2 strategic conversations
Day 11–14
▪️ Refine KRAs based on:
- real movement
- time allocation
WEEK 2 OUTPUT
✅ Bridge support secured (real, not promised)
✅ Cash runway visible
✅ Ndaba engagement initiated
✅ Real conversations underway
✅ KRAs refined
WHAT IS EXPLICITLY EXCLUDED (DISCIPLINE)
❌ No research build
❌ No AI system
❌ No Nancy activation
❌ No regional work
❌ No over-design
OPERATING RULE (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
If at any point:
👉 Bridge is not secured
Then:
👉 All other work pauses
FINAL LINE
This is now correct.
👉 Rea secures breath.
You place the work.
Everything else comes after.
Systems Thinking Research & Leadership Development Institute (STRLDi) 