Execution: Self Review
- personal995
- Jun 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 14
Introduction
Richard Feynman, the great physicist, once said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”
We need to check in with ourselves and keep ourselves honest. We all stray from our Values, Goals and The Path. That is normal, that is okay. What we do when we realise we have strayed is what matters.
The Socratic method is a form of cooperative, argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. It is named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, who employed this method in his teaching.
In the Socratic method, instead of providing direct answers to questions, a person engages in a dialogue to explore and clarify their own (or others) thoughts and beliefs. This process involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and uncover underlying assumptions or contradictions.
When applied to the self, the Socratic method becomes a means of self-inquiry and reflection.
Process
In the tradition of the Socratic method, the below is a series of questions to consider when checking in with yourself as you progress:
Review each question one at a time. Are you being honest with yourself? Do you truly know your position and progress?
The Self Review Worksheet in The Workbook can be used to help document your thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward.
Based on your review, thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward:
Do you need to adjust your Models & Theories to course correct or move forward?
Do you have further Lessons to learn to adapt your approach?
Are there Tactics that could assist you to better handle specific scenarios?
Whatever the answers are you discover about yourself, whether positive or negative, it doesn't really matter. What matters is what you do next.
Continually learn, continually improve and move forward.
Self Review
1. Am I regularly setting and reviewing goals for the project?
Encourages the establishment of clear objectives and ongoing assessment of progress to ensure alignment with the project's vision and objectives.
2. Have I effectively communicated the project's objectives, expectations, and roles to all team members and stakeholders?
Ensures that everyone involved understands their responsibilities and contributes towards achieving the project's goals, fostering alignment and collaboration.
3. What proactive measures have I taken to identify and address potential risks and obstacles to project success?
Promotes proactive risk management, allowing for the anticipation and mitigation of challenges that could derail the project's progress.
4. Am I efficiently managing project resources, including budget, time, and personnel, to ensure optimal utilization?
Ensures that resources are allocated effectively, optimizing efficiency and preventing unnecessary delays or overruns.
5. How am I fostering collaboration and communication among team members to promote synergy and problem-solving?
Encourages the creation of a supportive and communicative team environment, enhancing collaboration, creativity, and the ability to overcome obstacles together.
6. Are project milestones and deliverables being tracked and monitored effectively to ensure progress is on track?
Ensures that progress is monitored against predefined milestones, allowing for timely adjustments and course corrections as needed.
7. What mechanisms have I established to gather feedback from team members, stakeholders, and end-users throughout the project lifecycle?
Promotes continuous feedback loops, enabling the identification of issues early on and the incorporation of stakeholder input to improve project outcomes.
8. Am I promoting accountability and ownership among team members, encouraging them to take initiative and contribute their best work?
Cultivates a sense of responsibility and ownership among team members, empowering them to take initiative and deliver high-quality work.
9. How am I adapting to changes or unexpected developments in the project environment, and are my responses agile and flexible enough?
Encourages adaptability and flexibility in response to changing circumstances, ensuring that the project remains responsive and resilient in the face of uncertainty.
10. What lessons have I learned from past experiences or similar projects, and how am I applying these insights to improve my approach?
Promotes a culture of continuous learning and improvement, allowing for the integration of lessons learned from past experiences to enhance future project execution.
11. Am I underestimating the importance of clear communication and documentation in project management?
Highlights the significance of effective communication and documentation to avoid misunderstandings, delays, and rework.
12. Have I accounted for potential scope creep and change requests in my project plan?
Reminds individuals to anticipate and manage changes effectively to prevent scope creep and maintain project focus.
13. Am I relying too heavily on assumptions instead of gathering concrete data and feedback?
Encourages individuals to validate assumptions and seek feedback to make informed decisions and mitigate risks.
14. Have I overlooked the need for contingency planning and risk management in my project approach?
Emphasizes the importance of planning for uncertainties and developing strategies to mitigate risks and handle unexpected events.
15. Am I neglecting stakeholder engagement and buy-in throughout the project lifecycle?
Reminds individuals to actively engage stakeholders and secure their buy-in to ensure project success and sustainability.
16. Have I failed to allocate sufficient time and resources for testing and quality assurance?
Highlights the importance of allocating adequate resources for testing and quality assurance to deliver high-quality outcomes.
17. Am I neglecting to prioritize tasks and manage my time effectively, leading to procrastination and missed deadlines?
Prompts individuals to prioritize tasks and manage their time efficiently to meet deadlines and avoid last-minute rushes.
18. Have I overlooked the importance of building and nurturing relationships with team members and stakeholders?
Reminds individuals to invest in building positive relationships to foster collaboration, trust, and teamwork.
19. Am I neglecting to celebrate achievements and milestones, leading to demotivation and burnout?
Highlights the importance of recognizing and celebrating progress and achievements to boost morale and motivation.
20. Have I failed to seek feedback and reflect on lessons learned after project completion, missing opportunities for growth and improvement?
Encourages individuals to seek feedback, reflect on experiences, and capture lessons learned to inform future projects and personal development.
By posing these self-reflective questions you can deepen your awareness of your current position. In turn, enhancing the clarity and most important steps of your strategic approach moving forward.
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