Performance Gateway

Introduction: The Starting Point Problem

One of the most common challenges for professionals trying to adopt a framework is not understanding the framework itself—but knowing where to begin. The ambition to improve performance often collides with the complexity of delivery models, unclear responsibilities, and disconnected tools. In this confusion, momentum stalls.

SPARA solves this with a simple, powerful concept: Performance Gateways.

These gateways are practical entry points into the SPARA Cube. Rather than forcing users down a single path, SPARA recognises that real-world problems differ—and so should your starting point. Each gateway aligns to one face of the Cube and reflects a different way to engage with the framework: by identifying the domain of the problem, the way work is done, or the quality of current performance.

The Three Performance Gateways

Each gateway represents a distinct type of performance problem, and each activates a different part of the SPARA Cube:

1. The Theme Gateway: Start with the “What”

Use this when you know where the problem is.

This gateway is ideal when the issue is clearly tied to a specific area of the business. Perhaps user satisfaction is poor, transition projects keep failing, or operational metrics are stagnating. You have a sense of the “what”—you just need to understand it and fix it.

Example: A team is struggling with repeated failures in service handovers. The Theme Gateway leads them to examine Theme 4: Change and Improvement, where they discover a lack of structured feedback and no ownership of lessons learned.

Your next step: Explore the relevant Theme chapter. Use SPARA tools to clarify objectives, define CSFs, and assess current capability.

2. The Lever Gateway: Start with the “How”

Use this when delivery is happening—but improvement isn’t.

This gateway is best when your team or organisation is delivering work, running processes, and holding meetings—but nothing seems to stick. There’s effort, but little movement. You need to examine the way improvement is orchestrated.

Example: A PMO runs multiple retrospectives and governance forums, but nothing ever changes. The Lever Gateway guides them to Lever 5: Enable Improvement, where they diagnose missing escalation mechanisms and poor cadence.

Your next step: Use the Lever chapters to apply orchestration practices. Embed structured feedback, visualise friction, and activate improvement loops.

3. The Measurement Gateway: Start with the “How Well”

Use this when you’re flying blind or buried in noise.

If you have dashboards, reports, or KPIs that don’t actually help you make better decisions, this is your gateway. The issue isn’t just what you’re doing—it’s how well it’s being measured, tracked, and learned from.

Example: A CIO sees reports full of incident volumes and uptime stats, but no insights on user confidence or service outcomes. The Measurement Gateway leads to the Measurement Chain, where the team realigns metrics to strategic outcomes and redefines their data model.

Your next step: Follow the Measurement Chain to connect objectives to CSFs, KPIs, data, and insight.

Using the Right Gateway: A Simple Triage

To help users select their entry point, SPARA includes a simple five-question triage tool. This will be made available as both a downloadable guide and an interactive Hub feature.

Example questions:

Do you know which area of your service is struggling?
Are you executing delivery activities but not improving?
Do your metrics reflect what really matters?

Based on your answers, the SPARA Gateway model points you toward the best-fit entry:

Theme Gateway: You have a domain-led problem
Lever Gateway: Your delivery mechanisms are ineffective
Measurement Gateway: You lack meaningful insight or decision support

What Happens Next?

Each gateway connects to the SPARA Cube. Once you enter through one face, you naturally start to explore the others:

From Theme: Define outcomes, apply Levers, and measure what matters
From Lever: Focus orchestration, target specific Themes, and track progress
From Measurement: Refocus what you’re measuring, trace back to Levers and Themes

This is how SPARA becomes a living framework: not a linear process, but a performance architecture that adapts to your needs.

Closing Reflection

The Performance Gateways give users confidence to begin. Whether you are a service manager, transformation lead, or reporting analyst, SPARA meets you where you are. Your entry point may differ—but the journey leads to the same place: structured, measurable, and continuous performance.

This model sits at the heart of both the Awareness Course and Foundation training, giving every user a real-world way to connect with the framework and apply it immediately.

Welcome to the Cube.