For any project or mission, agree on a clear desired outcome before you consider the tactics and inputs.
What are the benefits of beginning a project with the end in mind?
Compelling results: employees and stakeholders become inspired when they focus on the desired outcomes, and they quickly see the value the organization provides.
More efficient use of resources: with a clear, common picture in mind there is less wasted effort and more flexibility.
More rapid achievement of the mission: people are more productive when they can connect with results rather than with tasks or tactics.
Higher morale: when everyone is on the same page there is less conflict, confusion, and frustration.
One of the biggest mistakes I see public safety professionals at all levels make is focusing on the means instead of on the end results. That is, they get so caught up in HOW they will do something that they often spend precious time debating tactics and assigning tasks, forgetting entirely WHAT it is they want to accomplish – i.e., the mission. As a result, they get bogged down unnecessarily at the beginning of a project, which drags down the entire effort.
When you focus on results rather than on tactics or tasks, an important shift occurs: the questions about the project or mission change, as do the answers. For example, instead of asking, “CAN we accomplish the desired result?” – which leads people to look for reasons why they cannot do so – asking “HOW can we accomplish the desired outcome?” causes people to look for ways they can be successful. They also can be more creative and flexible because they haven’t been tied to a particular methodology or tactics in advance.
The strategy development process provides a common example of how things go awry when the focus is on tactics. When people are more concerned with doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and fighting over terminology (e.g., whether goals have objectives or vice versa), the effort is doomed. To ensure success, articulate a clear picture of what the outcome will look like, then select the tactics and assign the tasks that are aligned with that result.
To find other articles and resources that may be of value to you, I invite you to visit my web site at www.PublicSafetyInsights.net.
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