Strategy Hexagon

Six dimensions that make up a future-proof organization. From Berlin, by a collective of 30 founders — not from the ivory tower.

Dark Horse Innovation Future Organization Playbook

What is the Strategy Hexagon?

Dark Horse Innovation is a Berlin-based innovation collective founded by 30 people from a wide range of disciplines. Their "Future Organization Playbook" describes how organizations can position themselves for an unpredictable future.

The Strategy Hexagon looks at six dimensions that together form the strategic foundation of an organization. What matters is not the strength of individual dimensions but their coherence — how well they play together.

The six dimensions

  1. Purpose: Why does the organization exist? Purpose as a North Star for every decision.
  2. Capabilities: The core capabilities that create strategic advantage.
  3. Resources: Capital, talent, technology, and networks — strategically deployed.
  4. Processes: How work flows — from rigid to adaptive.
  5. Culture: The lived values, behaviors, and norms.
  6. Governance: How decisions get made, power is distributed, and accountability is taken.

Future-readiness check

Rate each dimension (1 = barely developed, 5 = excellent)

How clear is the overarching purpose of your organization — beyond profit?

Weak Strong 3

Does your organization have the core capabilities to be future-proof?

Weak Strong 3

How well are your resources (capital, talent, technology) aligned with the strategic goals?

Weak Strong 3

How adaptive and efficient are your core processes?

Weak Strong 3

How strongly does your corporate culture support innovation and transformation?

Weak Strong 3

How agile and transparent are your decision-making structures?

Weak Strong 3

Inspiriert von Dark Horse Innovation — Future Organization Playbook

Applied to

Weiterlesen

Trivia

  • Dark Horse Innovation was founded in 2009 by 30 graduates of the HPI School of Design Thinking in Potsdam — as a collective, not a startup.
  • The company has no classical hierarchy: all 30 founders are equal shareholders.
  • Their office sits in Berlin-Kreuzberg in a former factory floor — fitting their self-image.
  • The name "Dark Horse" comes from horse racing and stands for the unexpected outsider that wins the race.
  • The "Future Organization Playbook" grew out of consulting work with more than 200 organizations.