It’s hard to believe we’re almost one quarter of the way through FY’17. It seems as though it just started! A quarterly check of your department’s operational plan A3 is recommended as a way to ensure that you’re on track with goals for the year and to foster open communication when things are not going as planned.
Here’s a suggested structure for your check meeting:
- What is the target?
- What is the current state – where are we now?
- What obstacles are preventing us from reaching the target? Which ones are being addressed now?
- What’s the next step?
- By when – when can we meet to check again on progress?
The key is to remember that problems are golden – they represent an opportunity to learn. Therefore problems should be brought to the surface rather than buried. Also, remember this is a check-in not a problem solving brainstorm. Stay focused, and determine the one next best step and check again after that next step is completed.
Additional check guidelines are available on the Planning employee site located here: employees.nmc.edu/depts/orpe/planning/support-toolbox/tools.html
Questions about the planning process can be directed to Karen Ruedinger at 5-1032.