In article #2 of our Effective Strategic Planning series, we discussed some of the methodology behind Lead 2 Perform’s Executive Guidance document. This tool for senior leaders (SVP, VP, Director) provides a clear outline of ‘what’ needs to happen over the next year, but it leaves the ‘how’ up to the team to deliver. This document is generally developed early in the planning cycle once organizational goals have been selected by a board of directors or the executive team.
Armed with an Executive Guidance Document, managers/team leads can then develop Annual Business Plans that have 3-5 major goals that will deliver 80% of the expected outcomes - the 20% that delivers 80% of the results. In addition, each of the team members can develop annual plans that roll up and impact the various ‘buckets’ that have been identified in the Executive Guidance Document.
Important components of successful Annual Business Plans:
The difference between leading and lagging indicators is often a stumbling point. A simple way to demonstrate the difference is with a weight loss example:
For instance, if someone wanted to lose 10 pounds in 6 months (a SMART goal), they could develop 2 strategies that would deliver on the goal.
Strategy 1 - Exercise 3 times a week for 1 hour.
Strategy 2 - Eat green vegetables a minimum of 5 days a week
These 2 strategies are easily measured and, if executed are likely to support meeting the 10 pound weight loss goal.
Once goals, strategies and leading/lagging indicators have been developed teams can share initial plans with their supervisors and peers. This alignment session is a great opportunity to gather feedback, understand synergies in team members plans and clearly identify the most important pieces of work that, when executed, will deliver results.
Business planning is an iterative process and likely a minimum of 2 drafts, and 2 alignment sessions are needed to develop a well-developed business plan that supervisors and team members agree will deliver the right results.
A final report out where each member of the team presents their plan to supervisors, team members and often stakeholders provides a way to build ownership and accountability.
Once team members have developed individual business plans that cascade from the Executive Guidance document, it is important to create a scorecard with the most important indicators. Defining the organizational cadence to review the scorecard, as well as making it visible will also be of importance.
Next month we will take a closer look a performance measurement and scorecarding. Stay tuned!
Brent Olynyk - Partner, Lead 2 Perform
Lead 2 Perform is a premier leadership and performance improvement consulting firm that specializes in working with leaders, teams and individuals to create and deliver sustainable performance improvement. Based in Calgary, Canada, L2P helps clients throughout North America and beyond.
