When a project is being developed there is usually a purpose to it.
The purpose can lead you to define an outcome for the project, its objective.
What if the objective isn’t a suitable end point for you to reach?
For example, and something I was told a long time ago, consider a trapeze artist. If their focus is on the reaching the opposite swing, then they usually fall off. If their focus on the other hand is to successfully travel on the other swing (i.e. they catch it and then use it) then they usually have a far better chance of achieving their objective.
In your business improvement projects it can be the same kind of situation. You choose an objective but then realise that this is not the end of the story.
- You implement the new process, but forget the SOPs, training, auditing etc…
- You install the new software solution, but forget the housekeeping activities, backups etc…
- You test a different morning meeting approach, but don’t write down the agenda, share the results etc…
Asking yourself ‘and then what?’ when you are considering your improvement project objectives is a useful approach to determine what the real end point of your project is.
Define the proper / final objective and watch your improvement projects become more effective for your business.
Giles Johnston
Author of 'Business Process Re-Engineering', a practical plan to improve business performance.