15 minutes could save your … strategic plan

W.I.G.We’ve all experienced it, or heard about it.  A team spends weeks or months developing a strategic plan, and nothing happens with it after the glossy document gets printed.  Why does this great new plan just sit on the shelf gathering dust?  Business scholars over the past two decades have been researching why plans fail to be implemented  1. The overarching theme of their conclusions: people resist change.  How do we address this challenge? Through a structured plan for execution.  Your team needs to commit to the plan, yet they are busy with their daily duties (the “whirlwind”) and they don’t take time to focus on the strategic plan.  An effective execution plan starts with committing to a series of 15-minute segments on planning and implementing the strategic plan.

Franklin Covey’s 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX)2 is one formula to follow. The four disciplines are:

Program Manager of The Ohio State University's Alber Enterprise Center

Program Director of The Ohio State University’s Alber Enterprise Center

1.   Select one or two “wildly important goals” (WIG) that drive your strategic plan and can be measured and tracked.
2.  Identify the activities that lead to achieving the WIG(s), ones that your team can influence.
3.  Create a compelling scoreboard: simple, visible to the team, shows the lead and lag measures, and tells immediately if you are winning.
4.  Establish a weekly cadence of accountability in which each team member commits to working on one or two of the lead activities as well as reports on the efforts toward the WIG.

This 4DX plan is easy to implement by committing to 15-minute segments for each discipline:

  1. 15 minutes to identify and establish your WIG from your strategic plan. If you need two WIGs, spend another 15 minutes on the second one.
  2. 15 minutes per WIG to list all of the leading activities required to meet your WIG.
  3. 15 minutes to determine how you will show (scoreboard) the team’s progress toward leading activities and WIG and where it will be displayed.
  4. 15 minutes per week – the same day/time each week – for the accountability meeting.

We facilitated a strategic plan for one of our clients a year ago. After following up with them to see their progress, they reported that the leadership team implemented a few goals but felt they needed our help to really drive the plan throughout their organization with all employees. They embraced 4DX and are starting to see results.

This works! Try it, and let me know how it works for you.

If you need help in setting up your 4DX plan, the Alber Enterprise Center can show you how. Call 740-725-6325.

Citations:

1:  Govindarajan, V., & Trimble, C. (2010). The other side of innovation: solving the execution challenge. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing.
Gudmundsson, H., Ericsson, E., Tight, M., Lawler, M., Envall, P., Figueroa, M., et al. (2012). The role of decision support in the implementation of “sustainable transport” plans. European Planning Studies, 20(2), 171-191.
Hahn, W., & Powers, T. (2010). Strategic plan quality, implementation capability, and firm performance. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 9(1), 63-81.
Kotter, J. (1996). Leading change. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Larian, L., Day, M., Backhurst, M., Berke, P., Ericksen, N., Crawford, J., et al. (2004). What drives plan implementation? Plans, planning agencies and developers. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 47(4), 555-577.
2:  McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution: achieving your wildly important goals. New York: Free Press.

Climbing the Success Ladder with You and Your Organization

Success LadderThere comes a time in life where taking the stairs is the only option to reach your destined path.  The quickest way or “elevator” in this case is inoperable.  If you were asked:  Do you want success? Instantly, your reply will be…I want success!  However, how willing are you to climb up the success ladder without assistance?  Success may be unattainable without enlisting the help of a team, planning, executing goals, and developing resources to obtain it.

HERE’S WHERE WE CAN HELP.

Unlike some consultants who may not necessarily take the time to customize a thorough plan for you or your organization, we take your hand as you climb your success ladder.

At Alber Enterprise Center, we assess your organization’s strengths and shortcomings then work with you to customize just the right solution to fit your business and budget.  We cater to all organizations and industries (i.e. for profit, non-profit, education, government, health, manufacturing, workforce development, and much more).

Examples of our consulting services:

  • Organization development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Performance improvement
  • Process improvement
  • Quality management
  • Environmental compliance
  • Industrial safety and hygiene

We alleviate individual and organizational barriers that are keeping you from obtaining your return on investment and climbing your success ladder.  Founded in 1996, our Center is located on the beautiful campus of The Ohio State University at Marion.  Our savvy consultants are dedicated in working with you to create customized plans for you and assist you every step of the way.

Now, then, YOU WANT SUCCESS….WE HAVE SOLUTIONS!

For more information about our consulting services, visit alber.osu.edu.