{"id":8942,"date":"2020-10-06T13:08:12","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T19:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/?p=8942"},"modified":"2025-07-25T20:53:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T02:53:06","slug":"best-practices-for-strategy-and-execution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/best-practices-for-strategy-and-execution\/","title":{"rendered":"From Chaos to Action &#8211; 5 Best Practices for Strategy and Execution"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-playlist wp-audio-playlist wp-playlist-light\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-playlist-current-item\"><\/div>\n\t\t<audio controls=\"controls\" preload=\"none\" width=\"674\"\n\t\t\t><\/audio>\n\t<div class=\"wp-playlist-next\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wp-playlist-prev\"><\/div>\n\t<noscript>\n\t<ol>\n\t\t<li><a href='https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/From-Chaos-to-Action.mp3'>From Chaos to Action<\/a><\/li>\t<\/ol>\n\t<\/noscript>\n\t<script type=\"application\/json\" class=\"wp-playlist-script\">{\"type\":\"audio\",\"tracklist\":true,\"tracknumbers\":true,\"images\":true,\"artists\":true,\"tracks\":[{\"src\":\"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/From-Chaos-to-Action.mp3\",\"type\":\"audio\/mpeg\",\"title\":\"From Chaos to Action\",\"caption\":\"\",\"description\":\"\\\"From Chaos to Action\\\".\",\"meta\":{\"artist\":\"Stephen Choo Quan\",\"album\":\"Design and Execute\",\"length_formatted\":\"8:23\"},\"image\":{\"src\":\"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/audio.svg\",\"width\":48,\"height\":64},\"thumb\":{\"src\":\"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/audio.svg\",\"width\":48,\"height\":64}}]}<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\t\n<h2><strong>1. Key Questions to Ask Yourself<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Do you really want this?<\/li>\n<li>What will it cost you?<\/li>\n<li>Are you truly willing to pay that price?<\/li>\n<li>When will you start?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>2. THINK LONG, THINK SHORT<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Long-Term Thinking: Set the Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cYou overestimate what you can do in 1 year and underestimate what you can do in 10.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Choose a goal you love, because the middle will get hard. Only passion can carry you through. Don&#8217;t rush greatness. Amazon took decades.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Adopt a long view.<\/strong> The Japanese often think in 250-year cycles. That requires patience, discipline, and trust in compounding effort. Begin planting seeds today. Have a clear destination\u2014or you\u2019ll never get there.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key Habits:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set clear, ambitious goals.<\/li>\n<li>Track your progress.<\/li>\n<li>Stick to the plan\u2014even when it\u2019s hard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Short-Term Thinking: Build Momentum<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Start with a <strong>short sprint<\/strong>. Deliver small, complete features that give value and showcase your capability.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keep it:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Simple<\/li>\n<li>On time<\/li>\n<li>Polite and professional<\/li>\n<li>Focused on shared interest<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Avoid overwhelming clients or yourself. Be transparent about your systems and processes. Let your work ethic shine in small, digestible ways.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"493\" data-end=\"545\"><strong data-start=\"496\" data-end=\"545\">3. STRATEGY ISN\u2019T JUST A PLAN \u2014 IT\u2019S A SYSTEM<\/strong><\/h2>\n<blockquote data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"655\">\n<p data-start=\"549\" data-end=\"655\">\u201cToo often, strategy is mistaken for a roadmap or a list of goals. But real strategy is more than a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"902\">True strategy is <strong data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"697\">an operating system<\/strong> \u2014 not just a destination, but a way of navigating everything that gets you there. It requires <strong data-start=\"792\" data-end=\"813\">internal cohesion<\/strong>, where every decision, capability, and process reinforces your core approach to winning.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"961\">\ud83d\udd04 <strong data-start=\"911\" data-end=\"961\">The 5 Interlocking Questions of Real Strategy:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol data-start=\"963\" data-end=\"1530\">\n<li data-start=\"963\" data-end=\"1065\">\n<p data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"1065\"><strong data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"989\">Where will we play?<\/strong><br data-start=\"989\" data-end=\"992\" \/><em data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1065\">Which markets, segments, customers, or geographies will we focus on?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1067\" data-end=\"1181\">\n<p data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1181\"><strong data-start=\"1070\" data-end=\"1102\">What does winning look like?<\/strong><br data-start=\"1102\" data-end=\"1105\" \/><em data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1181\">Are we aiming for market share, margins, customer retention, or impact?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1270\">\n<p data-start=\"1186\" data-end=\"1270\"><strong data-start=\"1186\" data-end=\"1206\">How will we win?<\/strong><br data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1209\" \/><em data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1270\">What\u2019s our unique value proposition and differentiation?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1394\">\n<p data-start=\"1275\" data-end=\"1394\"><strong data-start=\"1275\" data-end=\"1317\">What capabilities must be world-class?<\/strong><br data-start=\"1317\" data-end=\"1320\" \/><em data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1394\">Do we need unmatched technology, talent, supply chain, or innovation?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1530\">\n<p data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1530\"><strong data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1432\">What systems must support it?<\/strong><br data-start=\"1432\" data-end=\"1435\" \/><em data-start=\"1438\" data-end=\"1530\">Think incentives, resource allocation, performance metrics, and decision-making processes.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"1532\" data-end=\"1702\">When these questions align, strategy becomes more than a slide deck. It becomes a <strong data-start=\"1614\" data-end=\"1640\">shared lens for action<\/strong>, and day-to-day operations begin to reflect long-term intent.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>3.5 Set Your Goals<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Write them down. Clarity builds commitment.<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>New Goal (Passion)<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Why You Want This<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>End Date<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Control LDL Numbers<\/td>\n<td>Prevent heart disease<\/td>\n<td>11\/01\/2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><strong>Next: Break Down Each Goal<\/strong><\/h3>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Vision Category<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Specific Goal<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Deadline<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Training &amp; Knowledge<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>3 Key Relationships<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Next 7 Steps<\/strong><\/th>\n<th><strong>Status<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Health<\/td>\n<td>Control LDL from 60 to 30<\/td>\n<td>11\/01\/2019<\/td>\n<td>Classes, Books, Podcasts, YouTube<\/td>\n<td>James Doe1, Jane Doe2, James Doe3<\/td>\n<td>[List]<\/td>\n<td>Working on it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Money<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>Not Started<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Personal Growth<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>Planning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>4. 5 Best Practices for Strategy &amp; Execution<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>1. Planning is Priority #1<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Set goals <strong>50% higher<\/strong> than what feels \u201crealistic\u201d\u2014this forces growth.<\/li>\n<li>Daily planning saves you an hour each day.<\/li>\n<li>Adopt Agile principles: plan, act, review\u2014<strong>every day.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe one with better information, better plan, and greater skill\u2014wins.\u201d<br \/>\n\u2014 Harvey Mackay<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>When is it enough to start?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Have multiple viewpoints<\/li>\n<li>Close the scope with a decision-making framework (e.g. Force Field Analysis)<\/li>\n<li>Know the cost of missing data<\/li>\n<li>Have a deadline to decide<\/li>\n<li>Trust your gut and commit fully<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Risk Planning Checklist:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Time to failover?<\/li>\n<li>Backout plan?<\/li>\n<li>Historical success with similar changes?<\/li>\n<li>Stakeholder approval?<\/li>\n<li>What&#8217;s at stake?<\/li>\n<li>What\u2019s changing (tech, process, people)?<\/li>\n<li>What\u2019s the worst-case impact?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>2. Let Strategy Degenerate Into Action<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cPlans are useless, but planning is indispensable.\u201d \u2014Dwight Eisenhower<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ul>\n<li>Break down goals into milestones<\/li>\n<li>Assign tasks<\/li>\n<li>Collaborate and align the team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Repeat the loop:<\/strong> Plan \u2192 Act \u2192 Reflect \u2192 Adjust<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>3. Inspect What You Expect<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Clear communication, accountability, and constant refinement are key.<\/p>\n<p>With each iteration, review:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Purpose<\/li>\n<li>Milestones<\/li>\n<li>Actions<\/li>\n<li>Team alignment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>4. Respond to Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Change is inevitable. Prepare for it.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Build backup plans<\/li>\n<li>Prove your assumptions with data<\/li>\n<li>Move fast, but never reckless<\/li>\n<li>Practice to eliminate delays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>5. Measure Progress<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Track daily progress across <strong>8 business areas<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marketing<\/li>\n<li>Innovation<\/li>\n<li>Physical Resources<\/li>\n<li>Financial Resources<\/li>\n<li>Human Resources<\/li>\n<li>Productivity<\/li>\n<li>Profitability<\/li>\n<li>Social Responsibility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>5. Planning Tools &amp; Concepts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Natural Planning Method<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Why?<\/strong> (Purpose)<\/li>\n<li><strong>What?<\/strong> (Clear vision of success)<\/li>\n<li><strong>How?<\/strong> (Brainstorm options)<\/li>\n<li><strong>What next?<\/strong> (Break down components)<\/li>\n<li><strong>When and in what order?<\/strong> (Prioritize)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><strong>Farming Analogy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Prepare the soil \u2192 plant \u2192 water \u2192 weed \u2192 wait.<br \/>\nSame with goals: plan, invest, nurture, repeat.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>6. Achievement Action Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Define outcome + deadline.<\/li>\n<li>What does it mean to you?<\/li>\n<li>Identify 3\u20135 major components.<\/li>\n<li>Break each into steps + sub-deadlines.<\/li>\n<li>Allocate weekly time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Use a Critical Path Chart<\/strong> to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Map the strategy<\/li>\n<li>Identify dependencies<\/li>\n<li>Anticipate bottlenecks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Apply the Pareto Principle:<\/strong><br \/>\nFocus on the 20% of tasks that drive 80% of results.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>7. The 7&#215;7 Goal Planning System<\/strong><\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cDreams are just dreams. Goals are dreams with a plan and a deadline.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ol>\n<li>List 7 priorities to achieve the goal<\/li>\n<li>Break each into 7 action steps<\/li>\n<li>Schedule only 6 key tasks per day<\/li>\n<li>Create a buffer for the unexpected<\/li>\n<li>Stay proactive, not reactive<\/li>\n<li>Never wing calls\u2014plan and summarize<\/li>\n<li>Engage your community intentionally<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Bonus: Theory of Constraints \u2013 Drum, Buffer, Rope<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Drum:<\/strong> Your system\u2019s biggest bottleneck<\/li>\n<li><strong>Buffer:<\/strong> Protection to avoid pressure on the bottleneck<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rope:<\/strong> Communication system to manage flow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p data-start=\"1532\" data-end=\"1702\">\n<pre>Do you want this?\nWhat will this cost?\nAre you willing to pay the price?\nWhen are you ready to start paying?<\/pre>\n<h1><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">THINK LONG, THINK SHORT<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Long Term Objectives<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You overestimate what you can do in 1 year and underestimate what you can do in 10 years. Pick something you love because you will give up when you hit the miserable middle. Only love can take you through the long middle. Do not pressure yourself thinking about getting it all done in 1 year. Amazon.com gave itself a much longer runway to become the juggernaut it is today 20 years later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>How long is a long-range goal? Japanese say 250 years. To do that, you need patience. Plant your seeds today so you can reap the crop tomorrow. Plan for a lousy fortune while the fortune is good. If you do not have a destination, you will never get there: set goals, plan to achieve those goals, track your time, and ensure your plan gets executed.<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Short Term Objectives<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your first sprint must<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> be on time. Pick a short sprint, a small and slim end-to-end feature set, make a plan, and keep it fun. Let clients see your infrastructure, team, and work ethic. Provide bite-size nuggets, and avoid moving too quickly to overwhelm the client. Do not bear your soul, show common interest, and be polite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It would be best if you had written down your goals by now. Here is an example template you can use to get started.<\/p>\n<table width=\"196\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">New goal(Passion)<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Why you want this?<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">End Date<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"64\">Control LDL Numbers<\/td>\n<td width=\"64\">Prevent heart disease<\/td>\n<td width=\"68\">11\/1\/2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Our next step is to take each goal and develop a strategy for each and then execute the plan.<\/p>\n<table width=\"993\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Vision Category<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Goals (specific outcome)<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Deadline<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Training Knowledge<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">3 Helpful Relationships<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Next 7steps<\/th>\n<th bgcolor=\"#c0c0c0\">Status<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Health<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Control LDL Numbers from 60 to 30<\/td>\n<td width=\"84\">11\/1\/2019<\/td>\n<td width=\"166\">Find concrete paid and free Classes, Books, Blogs, Podcasts, YouTube<\/td>\n<td width=\"190\">Supportive James Doe1,\u00a0 Jane Doe2,\u00a0 James Doe3<\/td>\n<td width=\"99\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"98\">Working on It<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Money<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td width=\"166\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"190\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"99\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"98\">Not Started<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Personal Growth<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td width=\"166\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"190\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"99\"><\/td>\n<td width=\"98\">Planning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h1><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5 Best Practices for Strategy and Execution<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1. PLANNING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When setting goals,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><strong>aim 50% higher<\/strong> than expected, as you need to stretch yourself<\/span>, and you will always fall short. That is proper planning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/toss-the-plan-out-the-window-keep-the-objective-in-the-cross-hairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Plan every day<\/a>; it saves you an hour in daily execution. You can do it for an hour daily, or you need to take a day off once per week to do this. The agile methodology involves much more planning because you are planning daily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WHO WINS? THE ONE WITH BETTER INFO, BETTER PLAN, AND GREATER SKILL \u2013 HARVEY MACKAY<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">HOW MUCH INFORMATION IS THE RIGHT AMOUNT TO GET STARTED?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The right information to make a good enough decision<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0can be done using the following<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Get many points of view.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Use the &#8220;force field analysis&#8221; framework to close the scope of what the important drivers are and the direction to head<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">gauge the impact and importance of the missing data on the outcome,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">avoid data recency bias,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Make plans that have a backout strategy,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">timebox a date by which you need to arrive at a decision,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Listen to your gut,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Allow disagreement but expect full commitment by all accountable parties after the decision.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How much time you devote to planning should depend on the <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">risk you can assume. The<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> higher the risk, the more planning is necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">7 questions when assessing risk:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How long to failover?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Is there a backout plan?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Have similar changes been made before, and were they successful?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Does the client approve of the changes?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How critical is it that changes are made?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What is changing? (technology, process, or management)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What is the worst case if this goes south? # of clients\/configurable items impacted, are the clients external, internal, or both?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2. LET STRATEGIC PLANS DEGENERATE INTO ACTIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>Plans are useless, but planning is indispensible &#8211; Dwight Eisenhower<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Identify activities for each milestone goal; this will constitute your project plan.\u00a0 Collaborate with the team to have a shared, unified, action-oriented understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Iterate\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">as many times as you can end-to-end to foster a learning and conditioning process. Learning takes time: planning, acting, and reviewing are essential for effective learning. Plan, then act, then reshape your plan, then act again.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3. WHAT YOU INSPECT DETERMINES WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Inspection<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is clear communication on a relevant plan, accountability, measuring, and moving forward inch by inch. It is important to see the cross-impacts and communicate as you make changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Each iteration can\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><strong>complete each task faster and better<\/strong> than before when there is a review of the following: purpose, objectives, milestones, actions, plans<\/span>, and collaboration.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">4. RESPOND TO CHANGE<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Be prepared for change and adapt to it. Do not avoid change so you can stick to the plan. Prove the math and have a backup plan. The biggest complaint about professionals is that they are too slow. Practice to prevent this and have a plan when things go wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5. MEASURE PROGRESS<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Measuring and monitoring results daily, a detailed marketing plan with specific growth expectations, and setting appropriate goals. Put <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">growth thinking<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0in every area of the business. There is not ONE objective but many objectives. In business, we measure 8 key areas:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Marketing,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Innovation,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Physical resources,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Financial resources,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">HR,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Productivity,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Profitability,<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Social.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h1><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Project Management Terminology<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Natural Planning Method<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">: Why? Then drive that project over core values. Next is a clear vision of the outcome, tasting what success tastes like (what?), brainstorming the many options, then components or milestones, sequence, and priority to get done<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unnatural planning<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> usually starts with crises until a consultant comes in and asks, why are we doing this, and then it starts at the top with natural planning methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The process:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> If this were farming, it would involve preparing the soil, selecting the right seeds, planting, and being faithful in watering, weeding, and cultivation, letting God and nature do the rest. Similarly, we must plan, invest with excellence, demonstrate consistency, pay attention, and show empathy and appreciation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A Strategic Action plan<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> outlines the steps to move from a C+ to a B+; it is the action taken after the post-implementation review is complete, guiding improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"119\" data-end=\"169\"><strong data-start=\"122\" data-end=\"169\">Strategy isn\u2019t just a plan \u2014 it\u2019s a system.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"396\">Too often, strategy is mistaken for a roadmap or a list of goals. But real strategy is more than a plan. It\u2019s about <strong data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"308\">internal cohesion<\/strong> \u2014 where every choice, capability, and process supports a clear, intentional way to win.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"398\" data-end=\"447\">A proper strategy answers five interlocking questions:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"449\" data-end=\"892\">\n<li data-start=\"449\" data-end=\"524\">\n<p data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"524\"><strong data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"475\">Where will we play?<\/strong><br data-start=\"475\" data-end=\"478\" \/>(Markets, segments, customers, geographies)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"526\" data-end=\"618\">\n<p data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"618\"><strong data-start=\"529\" data-end=\"561\">What does winning look like?<\/strong><br data-start=\"561\" data-end=\"564\" \/>(Market share, margins, customer loyalty, outcomes)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"699\">\n<p data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"699\"><strong data-start=\"623\" data-end=\"643\">How will we win?<\/strong><br data-start=\"643\" data-end=\"646\" \/>(Our unique value proposition and differentiators)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"798\">\n<p data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"798\"><strong data-start=\"704\" data-end=\"746\">What capabilities must be world-class?<\/strong><br data-start=\"746\" data-end=\"749\" \/>(Technology, talent, supply chain, innovation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"800\" data-end=\"892\">\n<p data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"892\"><strong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"836\">What systems must support it?<\/strong><br data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"839\" \/>(Incentives, decision-making, resource allocation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"894\" data-end=\"1000\">When these parts align, strategy becomes more than words on a slide \u2014 it becomes a shared lens for action.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1090\">\ud83d\udcac How aligned is your strategy with how your organization actually operates day to day?<\/p>\n<h2><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">5 steps of the achievement action plan<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>What precisely is to be accomplished, and what is the deadline?<\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What does it mean to me?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">3-5 significant components of accomplishment?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Are there exact steps and deadlines for each component?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Weekly time investment? Achieve?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Critical Path Chart<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> lays out the strategic map, determines the dependencies, and estimates the segment&#8217;s force. It involves precise planning, which is incredibly early in a project.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pareto tasks:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">not all tasks have the same impact on the outcome. Ideally, you want to do the least tasks you need to accomplish to achieve the objective. The objective setting is to put that check on your mirror and ensure you can cash it. Are you doing the things you need to do to cash it?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">7\u00d77 program for making a Plan for a Goal.<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Dreams are just dreams; goals are dreams with a plan and a deadline. Write them down to give them the substance you need to force them to carry them out. Pick the first 7 things to get it done, then 7 actions on those 7 things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: inherit;\" data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">make lists, <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: inherit;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">allocate time per task<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: inherit;\" data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, never book more than 6 tasks or 6 hours, create a daily plan, buffer against ad-hoc tasks, reactive vs. proactive, i.e., planned vs. unplanned tasks, buffer against unplanned<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Priority setting:<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Take stock of the inventory of work so you do not get overbooked, then schedule stuff for later, do not let ad-hoc work pop up and take over planned work<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">never wing a telephone call,\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">summarize a plan for any call. Listen a lot, but ensure that, when leaving meetings, everyone has explicit action plans,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">you must plan on how to engage the community<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><strong style=\"color: initial;\">The Theory of Constraints\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"color: initial;\">operates<\/span>\u00a0a system called Drum, Buffer, Rope (DBR).\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The drum<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> is the system&#8217;s constraint; the <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Buffer<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> plans for the main constraint set, and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rope<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> communicates how to open the gate for the constraint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1002\" data-end=\"1090\">\n<h1><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Project Management Frameworks<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">SEI \u2013 Capability Maturity Model (CMM)<\/span><\/li>\n<li>ISO 9000<\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">DMAIIC \u2013 Six Sigma<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">PMI -Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lean<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Theory of Constraints<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Agile<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Stephen Choo Quan<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thanks for reading and Sharing \u2764<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"gv-post-content clearfix\">\n<p class=\"graf graf--h4\"><strong>Follow me\u00a0On:\u00a0<a class=\"markup--anchor markup--h4-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/taylorchooquan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/garyvee\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a class=\"markup--anchor markup--h4-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/stephen.chooquan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gary\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/stephenchooquan\/\">Linked in<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Key Questions to Ask Yourself Do you really want this? What will it cost you? Are you truly willing to pay that price? When will you start? 2. THINK LONG, THINK SHORT Long-Term Thinking: Set the Vision \u201cYou overestimate what you can do in 1 year and underestimate what you can do in 10.\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8949,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leadership-innovation","category-productivity-quality"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/project-planning.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8942"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24562,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8942\/revisions\/24562"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8949"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.designandexecute.com\/designs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}