TIP# 8 & 9
8. Organize EVERYTHING POSSIBLE into a
"set GOALS - work the ACTION PLAN - document RESULTS"
(GAPR) format in the Goal Planners.

Stop for a moment and think about this tip.  Then look at the ManagePro database you and your team are using.  How would you rate the organization and ease of use of your database layout?  Is it easy to see what the goals are, what are the supporting action plans and results to date?

It is very important that the database be laid out in such a way that it is easy to use - easy to see the connection between goals, action plans and results.  Why?

People
Well because for most people, organizing the work habits around goals, action plans and results is a change from what they are used to.  That is, many won't make the change unless it's easy or they are highly motivated.  By the way, here's a question for you, "If people don't usually organize their work around goals, action plans and documenting/measuring results, how do they organize their work day?"

          Answer: Most of us organize our work around performing job functions or standard tasks, and managing emerging crises and playing catch-up with the incoming e-mail and phone calls.


Power
Using goals (as opposed to the standard task/to-do list styles) has been demonstrated to raise performance levels in over 100 studies.  Working with a goal in mind vs checking off a to-do list is a more rewarding and effective way to work.  Check out the research summary article on our site at
http://www.managepro.com/10Lessons.htm.  Having people work a plan, one that others can see, coordinate and collaborate with, adds even more power to increasing performance.  Documenting results and next steps adds the important 3rd step.   Having a clearly visible display of GAPR supports your team(s) in both utilizing the ManagePro workspace, and more importantly working together at a higher level.

Leadership Management International describes it this way, "Goal setting is the most powerful tool at our disposal in the development of your organization...  Goals create the confidence that comes from knowing where you and your team are going and how they intend to get there.  Goals provide a sense of direction to keep your organization focused on what is important; they serve as a filter to eliminate extraneous demands...Overall organizational goals and plans simplify the leadership of people.  You and your team know automatically whether productivity is adequate.  There is no need to wait until the end of the month or quarter and suddenly find that goals were missed."

So have we convinced you yet?  Does it make sense that creating a well-built layout of your GAPRs is essential.  Now how did you rate your current layout again?  Does it unfold like a well thought-out game plan?  Is your team documenting their progress so that it is easy to determine results?

If you have any misgivings, or have just told yourself you are going to have to get to that someday, pick up the phone and call us to request our database configuration consulting service.  We make it easy for you to be a success at this.

9. Based upon results, keep modifying the plans 

If you looked at my breakdown of sub-goals in the Group Goal's Planner over time, you would see that some sub-goal structures remain intact a long time.  They typically represent a check-list, and are there to make sure I or others have completed or reviewed all essential details.  

On the other hand sub-goal displays that represent an Action Plan for growth objectives are frequently subject to change.  Results aren't what we thought, got new information in, the market changes, need to re-prioritize resources -  all of that goes on and causes us to regularly update and do a "Reality Check" on the Action Plans.  By reality check, I mean asking the question, "Do I and the rest of the team still believe the action plan is doable and represents our best plan for achieving the objective?"

Your action plan needs to be regularly documented with updated progress notes, and regularly tested against your willingness to bet lunch, or something greater, that that's the plan that's going to enable your team to reach your goals.