In my previous blog I made the statement “Many people don’t connect goals and plans. They either set goals and fail to make the plans on how to reach the goals, or they make plans without having goals that are clearly defined.”
I then examined some of the things to consider when setting goals.
Now it is time to look at taking a goal to the next level and working to achieve it by creating a viable plan.
Just like goals, plans need to be written down so they can be worked on and referred to when needed and not just something at the back of your mind.
Plans are there to reinforce goals and keep things moving. This is best achieved if a 7 step process is used with the input from whoever will be taking part in the plan.
1. Break down achieving the goal into separate steps where possible and determine the best strategies to be used.
2. Prioritize steps and check they follow a logical sequence.
For example, new staff is seldom fully productive from day one. Recruiting and training must take place first. Then leave some more time for them to come up to speed.
3. Establish deadlines, and hence the timetable, allowing buffers where possible if the start of a step depends upon the completion of another.
CPM (Critical Path Method) and PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) are Project Management tools that can be used in plans.
4. Delegate tasks and assign responsibilities. Make sure the people have the skills, experience and commitment to fulfill their rolls. Everyone needs to acknowledge what they are being held accountable for and show they understand their part in the plan.
5. Evaluate risks and obstacles that could disrupt the plan. Make contingency plans for any factors that pose a serious risk or have a high possibility of occurring and could disrupt the plan.
6. Implement the plan. Make sure it starts on time, with resources in place with everyone knowing, and committed, to their part.
7. Monitor the plan and tweak it or completely revise it as needed. Be flexible, things change and the unexpected often happens, so just following the plan can result in disaster.
More than one plan may be needed to achieve a goal – for example increasing revenue to $2,000,000 will require the support of Sales, Marketing, Finance, Logistics and possibly HR if additional employees are needed. Separate department plans should be prepared for activities, resources and expenditure.
The benefits of involving team members can’t be emphasized enough. Their creative ability, problem solving and commitment are key ingredients to both the plan and achieving the goal.
“Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.” – Arnold Toynbee (British historian)
