This is the first of two blogs devoted to implementing metrics and discusses the piece most likely to cause failure. Assuming that the metrics were properly identified, measured and the results analyzed, we are now at the point of Acting on the Results of the metrics.
There are two major ways in which a organizations tend to act on results.
- Making major changes all at once and cleaning up the results.
- Incremental changes
Making major changes all at once
In this approach the organization identifies where it wants to be, determines the changes and makes them all at once. This is sometimes called the Big Bang approach, often followed by the Gib Gnab which is a Big Bang in reverse
There are several steps:
- Determine where the end point of the changes would be
- Make the changes to get there
- Look for what has gone wrong or is incomplete or has been resisted (this will likely be a long list)
- Fix the problems
Incremental changes
In this approach the organization identifies where it wants to be, determines the changes and decides on individual small steps that will end up getting to the correct point.
There are several steps:
- Determine where the end point of the changes would be
- Determine individual small steps that will ultimately lead to the end result
- Coordinate the individual steps for each objective
- Obtain buy in from the affected parties for the individual steps
- Start making the steps
- Measure the progress continuously making changes if any measurements show adverse results
- Watch for progress towards the final goal
If the above process is carried out correctly, not only will we get to the final point, we will also have support for our next measurement program. If any of these look unfamiliar give us a call and we will talk about it.
Next week: Acting on the results – Redoing