August 2007 Deep Insights

Vison, goals, objectives, tactics and processes are only of value when results surpass effort. Often organizations and their personnel spend endless amounts of energy to determine how they will walk or run forward, not in place or backwards. The “PLAN” becomes the goal. Personnel continue their efforts toward a perfect plan and get lost not taking action to move onward.

Avoiding “PLAN SYNDROME” requires the stamina to focus on results by measuring the outcome of effort. Knowing what works and what doesn’t requires a navigational model. With the final goal in mind the organization must build a time line with benchmarks back to today. Benchmarks are intervention points to evaluate effort against results. Intervention points provide learning and opportunities to adjust effort for continued success or corrective action to improve results. The worst of all worlds is to continue supporting efforts that are not productive. Timelines, benchmarks and interventions bring results into focus.

Focus on results builds accountability. Consequently, in order to be successful, this environment calls for TRANSPARENCY. When results, not the “PLAN” are the goal, people need data published and available to measure their own and others performance. Surprises must be eliminated. Individuals must have an opportunity to take their own initiative to alter their behavior and their effort on an ongoing basis. Transparency encourages self discipline; improving performance and limiting wasted energy and effort.

Essential to not falling victim to “PLAN SYNDROME” is an organization’s resolve to create a transparent environment and provide navigational benchmarks that clearly illustrate when efforts and energy are producing results.