If you didn't catch it yet, read last week's blog on PLANNING and this week's blog will make even more sense!
This week, let’s define the types of questions you should ask instead of simply asking for a plan.
Look at any strategic planning template; it is nothing more than a series of questions that need to be answered. Try defining the questions that need to be answered first. For example:
What questions do you need answered to move the project forward?
or
What questions haven’t been answered that are stalling the project?
Use this approach next time you are doing any type of strategic planning, a special project or just trying to figure out a problem. Instead of thinking of the solutions, start with the questions first.
You can also use this to get your teams started on a project. Don’t just give them an assignment and ask for a plan; give them some questions to get them started. Better yet, ask them what questions they need to answer before they map out their plan. Here are a few examples:
- When you are done, what result will you create?
- Why is this important, what impact will it have on you, the company, customers?
- What business result will it create? (cost, revenue, efficiency)
- What are the risks you have to manage?
- How will you know you are making progress?
- Who are the other people (internal and external) who are impacted by this?
- How long might this take?
- What will the end product look like?
- How will you know you are completed?
Answering these questions, and others like them, will provide your team with an outline of a plan that can be fleshed out as needed to get the project moving. Creating an environment in which your team thinks strategically from the very beginning promotes this type of thinking throughout the project.
Next week we’ll talk about “The 5 Why’s” and how this technique helps us as leaders work through common issues within the workplace.
Until next time,
Doug
Read last week's blog on PLANNING here!