Every task, project or business plan seems to be all about getting from A to Z. It’s easy to define the letter A. This is simply where it all begins; the current state, status quo, what’s broken and needs to be fixed. Z is almost as easy as this is the goal or the exact opposite of A. Most plans go into great detail about A and Z. Lots of data and charts with eloquent problem statements and grandiose aspirations. It isn’t difficult to get an audience such as a manager, client or investor to buy into why A needs to be made better and why Z is the answer.
Of Couse, establishing A and Z is great for building slide decks and solidifying buy-in, but doesn’t begin to touch the surface of how to solve for the most important part of the equation A to Z, which is the word “to” and all the letters of the alphabet that have to be addressed to reach the goal. This is the typical handoff from the strategy of A to Z and the planning and implementation required to actually get the job done. Setting the strategy can seem like an obvious path and masks the degree of work needed to take the journey on the path. The details are what makes a strategy successful. Lack of intent or building the plane while it’s flying implementations can have disastrous outcomes and too often cast doubt about the strategy in the first place.
This is regrettable because the strategy could be sound and even an incredible innovation, but the lack of planning and getting into the details impacts future efforts to try and achieve this innovation. Small organizations have this issue due to lack of resources, while larger institutions have this same issue due to their bureaucracy. Both find it difficult to think through the alphabet and staying on task while managing the intricacies of their own means and methods.
Think about all the tasks you have been involved with as either the one that owns the implementation or as the approver. At what point during the process are the other 24 letters of the alphabet discussed if ever? And appendix slides at the end of the deck don’t count. The factors that drive most initiatives in this direction are many and often unknown at the outset. Remembering that the details and the intent is what drives success and not simply the urgency of a compelling event is part of the critical thinking required for success in anything you attempt to accomplish.
Of Couse, establishing A and Z is great for building slide decks and solidifying buy-in, but doesn’t begin to touch the surface of how to solve for the most important part of the equation A to Z, which is the word “to” and all the letters of the alphabet that have to be addressed to reach the goal. This is the typical handoff from the strategy of A to Z and the planning and implementation required to actually get the job done. Setting the strategy can seem like an obvious path and masks the degree of work needed to take the journey on the path. The details are what makes a strategy successful. Lack of intent or building the plane while it’s flying implementations can have disastrous outcomes and too often cast doubt about the strategy in the first place.
This is regrettable because the strategy could be sound and even an incredible innovation, but the lack of planning and getting into the details impacts future efforts to try and achieve this innovation. Small organizations have this issue due to lack of resources, while larger institutions have this same issue due to their bureaucracy. Both find it difficult to think through the alphabet and staying on task while managing the intricacies of their own means and methods.
Think about all the tasks you have been involved with as either the one that owns the implementation or as the approver. At what point during the process are the other 24 letters of the alphabet discussed if ever? And appendix slides at the end of the deck don’t count. The factors that drive most initiatives in this direction are many and often unknown at the outset. Remembering that the details and the intent is what drives success and not simply the urgency of a compelling event is part of the critical thinking required for success in anything you attempt to accomplish.