|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measure the right things. It's not enough just to measure-you have to measure the right things.
A common measurement trap is to measure something because it's "interesting." If knowing a measurement won't change anything (e.g., help you make a decision, verify an assumption or prove the problem is solved), then don't waste your time measuring it.
Another common trap in defining the problem success criteria is to lose the direct connection to the problem. Somehow it's very easy to unintentionally expand the problem with general improvements that are good things to do, but aren't really necessary to solve the problem at hand.
Avoid these traps: once you decide to measure something always check back by asking yourself exactly what you will do with the results. Then ask the question in reverse: if you have a particular result, will it really enable you to make your decision, verify that assumption, etc.
With problem success criteria, cross-check your proposed measurements with your problem description. Everything in the problem description should be measured by the success criteria. Everything in the success criteria should measure some aspect of the problem presented in the problem description. If they don't match, your measurements are either incomplete, you're measuring something unnecessary, or your problem description isn't quite right.
HINT: "Everything necessary, nothing extraneous" should be your watchword. Measuring the right things will help make sure you solve the problem completely and don't get sidetracked into doing other things that won't help make this problem go away.
copyright 2005. Jeanne Sawyer. All Rights Reserved.
Jeanne Sawyer is an author, consultant, trainer and coach who helps her clients solve expensive, chronic problems, such as those that cause operational disruptions and cause customers to take their business elsewhere. These tips are excerpted from her book, When Stuff Happens: A Practical Guide to Solving Problems Permanently. Find out about it, and get more free information on problem solving at her web site: http://www.sawyerpartnership.com/.
The CultBecoming a part of the Cult, consists of being... Read More
Do you have more projects than time? Help might be... Read More
Measure the right things. It's not enough just to measure-you... Read More
Managers should avoid the tendency to constantly delegate to the... Read More
Too many businesses wait until a crisis occurs before they... Read More
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters... Read More
Okay, be honest!Are you guilty of sticking in a few... Read More
Talk to as many consultants as you can before hiring... Read More
Want to bring out the best in people?Edward W. Smith,... Read More
It has been well documented that employees' productivity and job... Read More
Everyone knows that an agenda is the key to an... Read More
Perfectionism can get in the way of building or marketing... Read More
A man drives down the highway each day on his... Read More
What behaviour maximises the chances of thinking of great ideas?... Read More
When we want to hire people for a corporation or... Read More
Does your business need the services of a computer consulting... Read More
This is a challenge for every company owner and manager.... Read More
The higher you go, the cooler it becomes. Really? Let... Read More
Tommy Sherman daily monitors a helpdesk-provisioning queue for a large... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
We all complain about meetings which are a waste of... Read More
Swiftness is the key to collecting past due commercial accounts... Read More
People want to understand their role - they want to... Read More
Workplace violence has become a tragic reality today. From minor... Read More
Seduced by the publicity surrounding the impact of Lean on... Read More
Charles Petrie, from Stanford, released a short article entitled "The... Read More
Have you noticed that some sound ideas get bad publicity?... Read More
So to help start the ball rolling, here are ten... Read More
All maintenance activities of the workforce must be documented, this... Read More
Take some bold steps and help your employees and business... Read More
"Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bump, bump, bump... Read More
One of the biggest challenges any business owner or manager... Read More
COMPANY/ORGANIZATIONA South Florida hospital. The CEO of the hospital saw... Read More
Your impact at meetings will determine in a big way... Read More
I have a sign on my office door. It pretty... Read More
Using Employee Opinions Effectively When Designing HR ProgramsEmployee opinion is... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Whether you are a consultant, coach, business owner, doctor, professional,... Read More
Many books have been written about managing people, and an... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
How do you select staff for international assignments? It's an... Read More
Interested in learning how to reduce development time, save money... Read More
Mistake #1: Going with the flowInexperienced interviewers sometimes fall into... Read More
Picture all the people you know who are dynamic, successful... Read More
SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION PROCEDUREEvery complaint will be thoroughly investigated.... Read More
The senior flight attendant on the WestJet flight was starting... Read More
ISO 9001 2000, Getting startedBefore starting the ISO 9001 2000... Read More
Over 3 of my meetings with 3 business owners last... Read More
Decision-making shows up throughout the problem-solving process. The decisions may... Read More
Trust is essential. You can't run a business without it.... Read More
Business Management |