How hard can it be to develop a plan?
You’d be surprised at just how challenging it can be! There are so many things that can go wrong – both in the process of developing the plan, and in the process of implementing the plan.
But I think there is one common issue that shows up time and again… “Magical Thinking.”
This is my term for an approach to planning that glosses over issues, simplifies complex dynamics, and assumes that the outcomes can be easily obtained… This is a recipe for frustration, missed expectations, and failure to meet your goals.
So what should you do instead?
I’ve developed a visual guide to planning work. It can be adapted and used in a variety of settings. Annual Work Plans. Project Plans. Team Initiatives. Change Processes. Communication Campaigns. And many more..
Each component of the “Planning the Work” Map identifies an area that should be tackled during the process of creating your work plan. I recommend that you approach them in the following order:
Goals – What do you want to accomplish by the end of this period? What outcomes do you intend to create? What impact are you aiming for?
Key Metrics – How will you know when you’ve been successful in reaching your goals?
Stages – What are the key actions you will need to take to reach your goal? How will these be paced across the work period? What dependencies are there in these actions?
Team – How will the team be staffed? WHo sponsors and who will lead it? Do the members bring the necessary complementary skills and experience to reach the goals?
Inputs and Resources – What company resources and investments will enable the team to be successful? How will it draw on other teams to help it’s work?
Many planning processes stop at this point. However, this overlooks two critical areas that should inform the plan: those things outside your control that can affect whether or not you will ultimately be successful. So let’s include these in the planning process:
- Success Enablers – What assumptions are you making about factors that will support and enable you to be successful?
- Challenges – What assumptions are you making about factors that might confront and challenge you?
Both Success Enablers and Challenges can be examined using a Risk Assessment tool, with the plan being adjusted based on what you learn as a result.
Download your own copy of the “Planning the Work” Map.