# Alignment moments, conditions and decision methods

*Platform Strategy Designer Study Guide · Intangible Deliverables · Last updated November 2, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer/intangible-deliverables/alignment-moments-conditions-and-decision-methods*

How a strategy designer builds alignment premise by premise: the five alignment moments, assessing where stakeholders stand, the conditions that create alignment, core-team sessions from kickoff to wrap-up, decision and conflict methods, and the Salesforce V2MOM.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform Strategy Designer
- Exam section: Intangible Deliverables
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-strategy-designer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, craft a strategy to create alignment.

## What the exam expects

- Place each alignment moment in its design phase, and never build on a premise the group has not accepted.
- Assess whether stakeholders are supporters, neutral or detractors, and pick the condition (shared experience, shared understanding, compassion, collaborative problem-solving, visible friction, interpretation by others) that moves them.
- Run core-team alignment before kickoff, at the midpoint and at wrap-up with the right activities for each.
- Choose a decision method (decision checklist, criteria scorecard, prioritization matrix, trade-off scale) and a conflict method for a stuck or fragmenting group.
- Describe the five V2MOM components and how Salesforce builds and uses V2MOMs.
- Key terms: **premise** (an agreed foundation the next step of the strategy builds on); **neutral** (shows up but doesn't prioritize the project); **I will statement** (a written intent to improve the team dynamic); **trade-off scale** (forced individual ranking of up to 10 options); **V2MOM** (Vision, Values, Methods, Obstacles, Measures).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge framing is aligned | Before the Discover phase | [Gain Alignment](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/gain-alignment) |
| Opportunity area selection | A milestone during the Define phase | [Gain Alignment](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/gain-alignment) |
| Three ways to find stances | Internal research, 1:1 conversations, ecosystem mapping | [Gain Alignment](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/gain-alignment) |
| RACI | Manages the extended team; core roles are clarified separately | [Align the Core Team](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/align-the-core-team) |
| I like / I wish | 3-5 minutes; at least three of each per person | [Align the Core Team](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/align-the-core-team) |
| Criteria scorecard scale | 1-5 per option per criterion | [Make Decisions and Resolve Conflicts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/make-decisions-and-resolve-conflicts) |
| Trade-off scale | No more than 10 items; scale length equals item count; no ties | [Make Decisions and Resolve Conflicts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/make-decisions-and-resolve-conflicts) |
| Who has a V2MOM at Salesforce | Every employee | [Create Organizational Alignment Through the V2MOM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/manage_the_sfdc_organizational_alignment_v2mom/msfw_oav2m_creating_org_alignment_v2mom) |

## Check yourself

- When does alignment on design direction happen?
- When does a prioritization matrix fit better than a criteria scorecard?
- Why is an "I wish" statement hard to disagree with?
- Who should facilitate the midpoint core-team check-in?
- Which three things does the V2MOM help Salesforce do?

## Sources

- [Gain Alignment](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/gain-alignment)
- [Align the Core Team](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/align-the-core-team)
- [Make Decisions and Resolve Conflicts](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/alignment-as-a-strategic-craft/make-decisions-and-resolve-conflicts)
- [Create Organizational Alignment Through the V2MOM](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/manage_the_sfdc_organizational_alignment_v2mom/msfw_oav2m_creating_org_alignment_v2mom)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 22 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform Strategy Designer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams