Monday, July 16, 2012

Mind the Gaps



"And then what?" is one of the most important management questions. Some examples:

  • "We bring this person on board and then what?"
  • "Once that is completed we will have achieved our primary goal...and then what?"
  • "I understand that you will conduct an inspection tour in December and then what?"
The question's value, of course, is found when it reveals gaps in planning and execution. You discover that a major focus on one activity has produced partial or complete neglect of another. People may have thought the other part was someone else's responsibility or perhaps they have dismissed such queries by saying, "Let's just concern ourselves with getting Stage One done before we worry about Stage Two." The difficulty with that reasoning is that Stage Two can arrive very quickly and with guns blazing. It helps to determine the areas of weakness that may flow in the wake of achievement.

"And then what?" helps. It should be used often.

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