Alliance Structure

Creating an Alliance Structure

 An Eve online Alliance is a group of Corporations with like minded vision and Focus that has banded together for common goals. The leader(s) of the Alliance must ensure that a solid and effective structure is in place to allow for ease of implementation, and to allow for all the Corporations within the Alliance to understand what is and is not required of them within this structure. I have been in several alliances, and our Corporation has left everyone on them on good terms. The following design of the structure of an Alliance is my opinion, and designed to be an effective operating system that will take into account as much of the Eve Universe, Corporations, and Mechanics as I possibly can.

Alliance Structure designed from the Top Down.

The Triad.

 The Triad is designed to make sure that any one man trying to lead an alliance does not get burned out, and therefore become ineffective in running, and leading an Alliance. Compartmentalizing the common duties into sections that are manageable is a necessity that can not be overlooked. By dividing up the Work needed to run an effective Alliance, and putting the right people in place to play to their strengths will only aid in the ability of the Alliance to run smooth, effective, and efficiently throughout its life in Eve.

 The Triad is made up of the three key people in the Alliance:

1. The Alliance Leader
2. The Industrial Leader
3. The Military Commander

Alliance Leader:

 The Alliance Leader is the person that will oversee the total running of the Alliance, making sure that the other leaders are focused, and goal driven towards that of the alliance, and its corporations. Decisions that are posed to the leadership that can be looked at, and voted on will be discussed in meetings of the three leaders. The is a lot of fluidity in Eve, and because of that, there will be decisions that need to be made on the spot, and depending on the area these decisions need to be made in, the other leaders must be able to make good, and intelligent decisions since they will be effecting all of the Alliance and its corporations.

  The Alliance leader will also have several “subordinates” if you will. These people will be given certain jobs that will enhance the Leaders abilities to lead the Alliance. Tasked with jobs that fall directly under the Alliance Leaders supervision, and reporting to him when needed or necessary.

 These Jobs / Positions would be.

1.Co-Leader – Preferably someone in the opposite time zone. This person would be tasked with the operation of the Alliance while the main leader is offline or away.

2. Alliance Financial Manager – Tasked with generating Isk for the Alliance to allow SRP, and Alliance operations, and campaigns. This could consist of working with the Industry leader for manufacturing goods, and ships for an upcoming military campaign, or Working with the Military commander to secure player owned customs offices, or strategic placements of Alliance player owned stations. Whichever it is, it will be proposed and voted on by the Triad Leadership.

3. Corporation Recruiters – Tasked with finding good, and active corporations with in the scope of the Alliances goals, and vision. Expressing quality over quantity and looking for not only what we have to offer the corporation, but what they can offer us in return. The recruiters will be responsible for security checks, and backgrounds of all proposed candidates.

4. Alliance Diplomats – (Part of the overall Diplomatic core which will include diplomats from the industrial and military divisions. These diplomats will combine to make up the core diplomatic team for the alliance.) Alliance Diplomats will use their knowledge of the goals and visions of the alliance (High-sec, Low-sec, Faction Warfare, and 0.0) to reach out to like minded Alliance’s and Corporations to garner support, and possibly joint operations within their scope of duties. Alliance Diplomats would be working towards non-aggression pacts, co-existing pacts, and current war declaration negotiations.

Industrial Leader: 

 The Industrial Leader is the person that would oversee all industrial matters of the Alliance. Keeping in mind that most corporations have their own agenda in these matters, and knowing what each corporation can offer industry wise, is imperative. If your Alliance is in a war, or does a lot of PvP, then knowing that most combat pilots expend large amounts of Isk to maintain ships, and being able to resupply these pilots is important. You as the industry leader must find the best way to appropriate these goods, and get them to the front lines. You must be able to work with the Military commander, and Alliance leader, and have an effective line of communications.

 The Industrial leader will have several “subordinates” to help with the daily industrial activities of the Alliance.

1.Co-Industrial Leader – Preferably someone in the opposite time zone. This person would be tasked with the operation of the Industry while the main leader is offline or away.

2. Data Manager – This person will compile necessary data on current and new corporations. This data will consist of information as to their level of manufacturing ability, any POS’s in the area, and logistic ability. This information will be provided to the industrial leader to help with making decisions on procurement, and movement of goods. You may want to use a free program that will help in gathering this information. Survey monkey offers a free service that allows you to design and distribute surveys that could be used to gather information needed from the corporations.

3. Contract Manager – This Person would take the input of the industrial leader and post Alliance wide contracts for the procurement of goods, and also the selling of goods to bolster the alliance wallet.

4. Logistics Manager – This person would be in charge of setting up and providing security for large shipments into or out of the alliances area of operation. They may have to work with the military commander to secure security for these operations.

5. Industrial Diplomats - (Part of the overall Diplomatic core which will include diplomats from the industrial and military divisions. These diplomats will combine to make up the core diplomatic team for the alliance.) Industrial Diplomats will use their knowledge of the goals and visions of the alliance (High-sec, Low-sec, Faction Warfare, and 0.0) to reach out to like minded Alliance’s and Corporations to garner support, and possibly joint operations within their scope of duties. Industrial Diplomats would be working towards possibly securing goods, ships, or materials if it’s not possible for alliance corporations to supply them. 

Military Commander:

  The Military Commander is the person that will oversee all aspects of military operations. Responsible for home, system, constellation defense, and mounting authorized alliance campaigns. Knowledge of current political situations, as well as, ensuring that the Alliance is projected in a good light is necessary. Knowing what the Alliances force projections are and what its capability is at all times. Being able to work with the Industrial Leader and Alliance Leader to achieve goals of a wide variety is necessary.

  The Military commander will have several “subordinates” to help with the daily military activities of the Alliance.

1. Co-Military Commander – Preferably someone in the opposite time zone. This person would be tasked with the operation of the Military while the main Commander is offline or away.

2. Fleet Commander(s) – Head of all authorized alliance fleets, and their deployment. Campaigns and operations that have been signed off by all High command Leadership will fall into this category. These Deployments will be handed to a single Fleet Commander to carry out with the aid and instruction of the Military Commander. All times, and area’s of operations will be on a need to know basis to anyone below this rank.

 The possibility of using Fleet-up.com to set up campaigns, and deployments should be looked at, and used.

3. Home Defense Fleets – These will be assigned to corporations based on size and composition. The Corporations will be tasked with defending systems under the control of the alliance. All home defense fleets will be required to fleet up with the system(s) name and be in fleet and on comms at all times. CEO’s or Directors should be making these fleets.

4. Fleet Training Division – This person would set up, and run a training division for new and up coming fleet commanders. Could also set up training exercises for new combat pilots to learn how to properly act and move in fleet situations.

5. Military Diplomats - (Part of the overall Diplomatic core which will include diplomats from the industrial and military divisions. These diplomats will combine to make up the core diplomatic team for the alliance.) Military Diplomats will use their knowledge of the goals and visions of the alliance (High-sec, Low-sec, Faction Warfare, and 0.0) to reach out to like minded Alliance’s and Corporations to garner support, and possibly joint operations within their scope of duties. Military Diplomats would be working towards possibly securing coalitions, joint operations, and fleet support for the alliance.

Intelligence Division:

 This division is used by all three leaders for a multitude of situations. The intelligence division is an all volunteer Division, and should be kept secret to all but the participants, and the Triad of leaders. All information of this division should be kept on a need to know basis, distributed wisely, and in a timely manner.

 This division can be used for tasks needed by the alliance, such as, information gathering, enemy troop movements, and force composition. There is a wide array of possibilities for this division.

Diplomatic Core:

 This is the total of all Diplomats in the Alliance. Their combined knowledge, and information should be presented to all three leaders when there is a new or breaking development that could possibility effect the Alliance.

Corporation CEO’s & Directors:

 All CEO’s or Directors should be kept in the loop of all important information. This would include their assigned area of operation, any tasks requested of them by any of the three leaders and the ultimate goal / timeline of these tasks. The Alliance is only as strong as its weakest Corporation, and those that can’t complete an assigned task or goal should be issued a warning.

Mailing lists, Chat Channels, Website:

 In order to create an effective flow of information, there should be a quick and easy way to move information up to the leaders of the alliance. Most of these avenues are self explanatory, and work well when maintained and used. The use of mailing lists that are separated and specific to a certain division, task or job work well.

Meetings:

 There should be a set system for meetings, and a structure to how they are implemented. On a monthly basis there should be three meetings held, and in a specific order.

1. Meeting of all Leaders with their subordinates to compile needed information, and suggestions as to the goals and focus for the next month. Find out what is needed, where it’s needed, and come up with a plan of action to be discussed in the next meeting.

2. Meeting of the Triad of Leaders to discuss what has transpired from the last meeting, what went right, and what went wrong. Decide if you are still on schedule for the plans made from the last meeting. Discuss what has changed, and if the plans made should be altered. Discuss all new information and what if anything needs to be done. Discuss any timelines that need to be changed or altered with the addition of new information. Set up new deployments, or operations that will be done between now and the next meeting. Discuss the Corporations, and any need to issue warnings, promotions of any individuals, or if any tasks need to be assigned.

3. Meeting of the Triad of Leaders and the CEO’s of all Corporations. This Meeting should open with the state of the Alliance since the last meeting. Move to what was found to be working and what needs to be fixed, changed, or moved. The CEO’s are the backbone of the Alliance and the more they feel in the loop and a part of the bigger picture will only serve to build loyalty, and bolster moral. Even in discussing failures, look for the silver lining and push to focus on what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and how as an Alliance it will be done.

  There shouldn’t be a need for more meetings than this unless there is a major development that needs immediate attention, and a swift vote / decision to avert an emergency, or large loss of Alliance assets.