Execution: Models & Theories
- personal995
- Jun 18, 2024
- 14 min read
Updated: Dec 6, 2024
Index
Introduction
Models & Theories are essential tools for understanding, exploring, and interacting with the world around us. They help us unlock the mysteries of nature, solve practical problems, and drive progress and innovation in various fields of human endeavor.
With that in mind, first we want to align this with what we are trying to achieve. Ultimately we want to grow and achieve our Goals. The Models & Theories then, need to help us to formulate strategic plans that can do just so.
The thing with strategic plans is they are more often than not dealing with systems of chaos (human nature, environments, economies, complex adaptive systems etc), and as such can not be completely fixed. They need to be adaptable.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the American military officer and statesman, once said, "In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable."
There are very few perfect models or theories that suit every situation. Every individual's unique goals have specific requirements to successfully execute them.
However, there are often general, timeless, adaptable or customisable Models & Theories that can be utilised to begin building momentum, or which are suitable to create from, a unique and flexible strategic plan.
These Models & Theories are selected and continually curated with this aim in mind.
Get creative. Use the Models & Theories verbatim, if they serve you in that form. If not, use them purely as idea generators, as partials to build upon or as starting points to adapt and customise.
If none specifically suit, move on to the Self Review, Lessons and Case Studies and create your own working model.
Process
With your Values and Goals front of mind, what is it you are aiming to do or achieve? Once you have that clear for yourself:
Review all the Models & Theories below. Do any appear to provide the beginnings of a structure you can use as a strategic plan?
If so, start working through the steps and build momentum, adapting as it suits for your specific situation.
If not, do some partial aspects or a sum of parts approach to help you customise a strategic plan?
If still not, move on to the Self Review, Lessons and Case Studies and create your own working model.
Models & Theories
1. On Critical Path Method (CPM)
Summary: The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to identify the longest sequence of dependent tasks and determine the shortest possible duration for completing a project. In the context of assisting an individual in achieving their goals and doing their best work, CPM can help in creating a structured plan with clear timelines and dependencies.
Here's a brief overview of the steps involved in using CPM:
Identify Tasks: The first step is to identify all the tasks required to accomplish the individual's goals. These tasks should be specific and measurable, representing the actions needed to move closer to the desired outcomes.
Sequence Tasks: Once the tasks are identified, they need to be sequenced in the order they must be completed. Some tasks may be dependent on others, meaning they cannot start until certain preceding tasks are finished.
Estimate Durations: For each task, estimate the time required to complete it. This estimation should be realistic and based on factors such as complexity, resources available, and any potential obstacles.
Construct Network Diagram: Using the task sequence and duration estimates, create a network diagram that visually represents the flow of tasks and their dependencies. This diagram typically consists of nodes (representing tasks) and arrows (representing dependencies).
Identify Critical Path: Once the network diagram is constructed, identify the critical path. The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the shortest possible duration for completing the project. Tasks on the critical path have zero slack or float, meaning any delay in these tasks will directly impact the overall project duration.
Determine Slack: Determine the slack or float for non-critical tasks. Slack represents the amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project's overall completion. Tasks with slack can be delayed without affecting the project's timeline, but they should still be monitored closely to avoid potential delays.
Monitor Progress: Throughout the project execution, monitor the progress of tasks and compare it against the planned schedule. Identify any deviations from the schedule and take corrective actions as necessary to keep the project on track.
Conclusion: By following these steps, individuals can use the Critical Path Method to develop a clear and structured plan for achieving their goals. The critical path helps them prioritize tasks and focus their efforts on the activities that are most crucial for success, ultimately assisting them in living well and doing their best work.
2. On Quality Management
Summary: Quality Management is a comprehensive approach aimed at ensuring that products, services, and processes consistently meet or exceed customer expectations. In the context of assisting an individual in achieving their goals and doing their best work, Quality Management can help maintain high standards, improve efficiency, and enhance overall satisfaction.
Here's a brief overview of the steps involved in using Quality Management:
Define Quality Objectives: The first step is to define clear quality objectives that align with the individual's vision and goals. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), reflecting the desired level of quality for products, services, or processes.
Identify Stakeholders: Identify all stakeholders involved in the individual's goals, including customers, partners, team members, and other relevant parties. Understand their expectations and requirements regarding quality to ensure alignment with the defined quality objectives.
Plan Quality Management: Develop a Quality Management Plan outlining the approach, methodologies, tools, and responsibilities for ensuring quality throughout the project or process. This plan should address quality assurance (prevention of defects) and quality control (detection and correction of defects) activities.
Implement Quality Assurance Practices: Implement proactive measures to prevent defects and ensure that processes are performed correctly from the outset. This may include establishing standards, procedures, training programs, and quality checkpoints to promote consistency and adherence to best practices.
Perform Quality Control: Monitor and evaluate the quality of products, services, or processes using appropriate techniques and metrics. This involves inspecting outputs, conducting tests, gathering feedback, and analyzing performance data to identify any deviations from quality standards.
Continuous Improvement: Emphasize a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing processes, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and implementing corrective and preventive actions. Encourage feedback from stakeholders and foster a mindset of learning and innovation to drive ongoing quality improvements.
Customer Feedback and Satisfaction: Solicit feedback from customers and stakeholders to assess their satisfaction levels and identify areas for improvement. Use customer feedback to drive quality enhancements, address concerns, and ensure that products, services, or processes meet or exceed customer expectations.
Quality Audits and Reviews: Conduct regular quality audits and reviews to assess compliance with quality standards, identify areas of non-conformance, and verify the effectiveness of quality management practices. Use audit findings to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement efforts.
Documentation and Documentation Management: Maintain accurate documentation of quality standards, procedures, processes, and performance data. Ensure that documentation is accessible, up-to-date, and effectively communicated to relevant stakeholders to support consistency and transparency.
Conclusion: By following these steps, individuals can apply Quality Management principles to deliver on their vision and goals effectively. Quality Management helps ensure that products, services, or processes meet the desired level of quality, ultimately assisting individuals in living well and doing their best work by fostering excellence, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
3. On Risk Management
Summary: Risk Management is a systematic process of identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and mitigating risks that could potentially impact the achievement of goals or objectives. In the context of assisting an individual in delivering their plans and achieving their vision, effective Risk Management can help anticipate and address potential obstacles, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.
Here's a brief overview of the steps involved in using Risk Management:
Identify Risks: The first step is to identify potential risks that could affect the individual's ability to achieve their goals. Risks can arise from various sources, including internal factors (e.g., resource constraints, skill gaps) and external factors (e.g., market conditions, regulatory changes). Encourage brainstorming sessions and use techniques such as SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to identify risks comprehensively.
Assess Risks: Once risks are identified, assess their likelihood of occurrence and potential impact on the individual's goals. Use qualitative and/or quantitative methods to prioritize risks based on their severity and urgency. Risk assessment techniques such as risk matrices or probability-impact assessments can help in this process.
Develop Risk Response Strategies: After prioritizing risks, develop appropriate response strategies to address them effectively. Common risk response strategies include avoidance (eliminating the risk altogether), mitigation (reducing the likelihood or impact of the risk), transfer (shifting the risk to another party, such as through insurance), and acceptance (acknowledging the risk and its potential consequences).
Implement Risk Mitigation Plans: Implement the identified risk response strategies by integrating them into the project or plan execution. This may involve allocating resources, establishing contingency plans, and implementing controls to monitor and manage identified risks proactively.
Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor the effectiveness of risk mitigation efforts and reassess risks as circumstances evolve. Regularly review the risk register and update risk assessments to ensure that emerging risks are addressed promptly. Maintain open communication channels to encourage reporting of new risks or changes in existing risk profiles.
Communication and Reporting: Communicate risk information effectively to relevant stakeholders, including team members, sponsors, and decision-makers. Provide regular updates on the status of identified risks, mitigation efforts, and any changes in risk exposure. Ensure transparency and clarity in risk reporting to facilitate informed decision-making.
Learn from Experience: Encourage a culture of learning from past experiences and incorporating lessons learned into future Risk Management practices. Conduct post-project reviews or "lessons learned" sessions to identify successes, challenges, and areas for improvement in managing risks. Use this feedback to refine Risk Management processes and enhance resilience in future endeavors.
Conclusion: By following these steps, individuals can effectively apply Risk Management principles to deliver on their plans and achieve their vision. Risk Management helps anticipate and address potential obstacles, enabling individuals to live well and do their best work by minimizing disruptions and maximizing opportunities for success.
4. On Earned Value Management (EVM)
Summary: Earned Value Management (EVM) is a project management technique used to measure project performance and progress in an objective and quantifiable manner. It integrates project scope, schedule, and cost metrics to assess how well a project is meeting its objectives. In the context of assisting an individual in delivering their plans and achieving their vision, EVM can provide valuable insights into project health, identify potential issues early, and enable informed decision-making.
Here's a brief overview of the steps involved in using Earned Value Management:
Define Work Packages: Break down the project scope into smaller, manageable work packages or tasks. Each work package should be well-defined, measurable, and directly tied to achieving the project's objectives.
Assign Budgets: Assign budgeted costs to each work package based on the resources required and the estimated effort. The budgeted cost represents the planned cost for completing the work package as per the project schedule.
Establish Baselines: Establish baselines for the project schedule and budget. The schedule baseline defines the planned start and end dates for each work package, while the cost baseline represents the planned cost for completing each work package over time.
Measure Performance: Track the actual progress of work against the planned schedule and budget. This involves recording the amount of work completed (earned value), actual costs incurred, and the planned costs for each work package.
Calculate Earned Value (EV): Calculate the earned value for each work package, representing the value of the work completed to date. Earned value is typically measured in terms of budgeted costs and is based on the percentage of work completed multiplied by the budgeted cost of the work package.
Determine Actual Costs (AC): Determine the actual costs incurred for each work package. Actual costs include all expenses related to completing the work, such as labor, materials, and overhead costs.
Assess Schedule Performance: Evaluate schedule performance by comparing the earned value to the planned schedule (Planned Value, PV). Schedule performance indicators such as Schedule Performance Index (SPI) can be calculated to assess whether the project is ahead of, behind, or on schedule.
Assess Cost Performance: Evaluate cost performance by comparing the earned value to the actual costs incurred. Cost performance indicators such as Cost Performance Index (CPI) can be calculated to determine whether the project is under or over budget.
Analyze Variances: Analyze schedule and cost variances to identify areas of concern and potential risks. Variances occur when there are differences between the planned schedule/budget and the actual performance (earned value/actual costs). Positive variances indicate favorable performance, while negative variances suggest potential issues that require corrective action.
Take Corrective Action: Based on the analysis of variances, take corrective action as necessary to address any deviations from the planned schedule or budget. This may involve reallocating resources, revising project plans, or implementing mitigation strategies to bring the project back on track.
Monitor and Control: Continuously monitor project performance using EVM metrics and control mechanisms to ensure that corrective actions are effective and that the project remains on course to achieve its objectives.
Conclusion: By following these steps, individuals can effectively use Earned Value Management to monitor, control, and optimize project performance, thereby assisting them in delivering their plans and achieving their vision. EVM provides a systematic approach to measuring project progress, identifying potential issues, and making data-driven decisions to maximize the likelihood of success.
5. On Lean Principles
Summary: Lean Principles originated from the Toyota Production System and are aimed at maximizing value while minimizing waste in processes. In the context of assisting an individual in delivering their plans and achieving their vision, Lean Principles can help optimize efficiency, reduce unnecessary effort, and enhance overall productivity.
Here's a brief overview of Lean Principles and the steps involved in applying them:
Identify Value: The first step is to identify the specific value that the individual's vision or goals aim to deliver. Value is defined from the perspective of the customer, focusing on what they are willing to pay for or find meaningful. Clearly defining value helps prioritize efforts and resources effectively.
Map Value Stream: Map out the entire value stream or process flow involved in delivering the desired outcomes. This includes identifying all activities, resources, and steps from start to finish. Value stream mapping helps visualize the flow of work and identify opportunities for improvement.
Eliminate Waste: Identify and eliminate or minimize waste in the value stream. Lean distinguishes eight types of waste, including overproduction, waiting, unnecessary transportation, excess inventory, defects, overprocessing, motion, and underutilized talent. By reducing or eliminating waste, individuals can optimize efficiency and focus resources on value-adding activities.
Create Flow: Streamline the flow of work by removing bottlenecks, reducing interruptions, and improving continuity. Ensure that work progresses smoothly and continuously from one step to the next, minimizing delays and handoffs. Creating flow enhances productivity and responsiveness to customer needs.
Establish Pull: Implement a pull-based system where work is initiated in response to actual customer demand rather than being pushed through the process based on forecasts or production schedules. This helps prevent overproduction, reduce excess inventory, and improve responsiveness to customer requirements.
Pursue Perfection: Continuously strive for perfection by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Encourage experimentation, feedback, and reflection to identify opportunities for further optimization. Lean principles emphasize the pursuit of perfection as an ongoing journey rather than a final destination.
Conclusion: By following these steps and principles, individuals can apply Lean Principles to deliver on their plans and achieve their vision effectively. Lean Principles help optimize processes, eliminate waste, and enhance value delivery, ultimately assisting individuals in living well and doing their best work by maximizing efficiency, minimizing unnecessary effort, and focusing on what truly matters.
6. On Six Sigma
Summary: Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to process improvement that aims to reduce defects and variations, ultimately leading to improved quality and efficiency. In the context of assisting an individual in delivering their plans and achieving their vision, Six Sigma can help identify and address opportunities for improvement, leading to higher performance and greater success.
Here's a brief overview of Six Sigma and the steps involved in applying it:
Define: The first step is to define the problem or opportunity for improvement clearly. This involves articulating the individual's vision and goals, as well as identifying specific areas where performance or quality could be enhanced. Establish measurable objectives and criteria for success to guide the improvement efforts.
Measure: Once the problem is defined, gather relevant data and measure current performance metrics. This step involves quantifying key process parameters and identifying sources of variation. Use statistical tools and techniques to analyze data and gain insights into the current state of affairs.
Analyze: Analyze the data to identify root causes of defects or inefficiencies. Use tools such as root cause analysis, process mapping, and hypothesis testing to identify factors contributing to the problem. Determine which variables have the most significant impact on performance and prioritize them for further investigation.
Improve: Develop and implement solutions to address the identified root causes and improve performance. This may involve redesigning processes, implementing new technologies, or making changes to organizational systems or structures. Ensure that proposed improvements are feasible, measurable, and aligned with the individual's goals and vision.
Control: Once improvements are implemented, establish controls to sustain the gains achieved and prevent regression to previous performance levels. Develop monitoring systems, set performance targets, and implement standard operating procedures to ensure that improvements are maintained over time. Continuously monitor performance metrics and adjust processes as needed to maintain desired outcomes.
Verify: Verify the effectiveness of the improvement efforts by comparing post-improvement performance metrics with baseline measurements. Use statistical methods to assess the significance of improvements and ensure that desired objectives have been met. Communicate results to stakeholders and celebrate successes to maintain momentum and motivation for further improvement.
Conclusion: By following these steps and leveraging Six Sigma principles, individuals can effectively deliver on their plans and achieve their vision. Six Sigma helps identify and eliminate sources of variation, leading to higher quality, increased efficiency, and greater success in living well and doing one's best work.
7. On Agile Methodology
Summary: Agile Methodology is an iterative and flexible approach to project management, commonly used in software development but applicable to various fields. In the context of assisting an individual in delivering their plans and achieving their vision, Agile Methodology can provide a structured framework for adapting to changing circumstances, prioritizing tasks, and fostering collaboration.
Here's a brief overview of Agile Methodology and the steps involved in using it:
Vision and Goal Definition: The first step is to define the individual's vision and goals clearly. This involves articulating the desired outcomes and understanding the underlying motivations and priorities. Establishing a shared understanding of the vision helps guide subsequent planning and execution efforts.
Product Backlog Creation: Create a product backlog, which is a prioritized list of all the tasks, features, or requirements needed to achieve the vision and goals. The product backlog serves as a dynamic repository of work items, with items prioritized based on their importance and value to the overall vision.
Sprint Planning: Plan and prioritize work for each iteration or sprint, typically ranging from one to four weeks. During sprint planning, the team selects a subset of items from the product backlog to work on during the upcoming sprint. The selection is based on factors such as priority, complexity, and dependencies.
Daily Stand-up Meetings: Conduct daily stand-up meetings, also known as daily scrums, to keep the team aligned and informed about progress. During these short meetings, team members share updates on their work, discuss any challenges or impediments, and coordinate efforts to overcome obstacles.
Iterative Development: Execute work iteratively and incrementally, focusing on delivering small, usable increments of functionality at the end of each sprint. This allows for frequent feedback from stakeholders and enables the team to adapt to changing requirements or priorities quickly.
Sprint Review: Hold a sprint review at the end of each sprint to demonstrate the completed work to stakeholders and gather feedback. Use this feedback to validate assumptions, refine requirements, and adjust priorities for future sprints.
Sprint Retrospective: Conduct a sprint retrospective at the end of each sprint to reflect on the team's performance and identify areas for improvement. Discuss what went well, what could be improved, and any action items for implementing changes in the next sprint.
Continuous Improvement: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement by incorporating feedback and lessons learned into future planning and execution efforts. Use retrospectives, stakeholder feedback, and metrics to identify opportunities for optimization and enhancement.
Conclusion: By following these steps and embracing Agile principles, individuals can effectively deliver on their plans and achieve their vision. Agile Methodology promotes adaptability, collaboration, and transparency, ultimately assisting individuals in living well and doing their best work by enabling them to respond effectively to change, deliver value iteratively, and foster continuous improvement.
By reviewing these models and theories above you can pick and choose what may work best for you and your own unique situation, try, test and refine your process to suit. To the point where you begin to see improvements and compound your results moving forward.
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