HOW CAN BETTER RESULTS BE REGISTERED CONSISTENTLY?

Many management experts assert that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Yes, the execution part is equally important, that's why Zig Ziglar asserts that goals are dreams we convert to plans and take action to fulfil. There is no denying the fact that right planning and effective execution are absolutely necessary for making all the projects or tasks really successful, whether the project is big or small; private or government; individual or social.  It is because all projects are to be completed within a time limit and as per the quality specifications and/or expectations. It is also worth knowing where there is inadequacy of resources - be it time, money, energy, opportunity, goods, minerals, machines etc. vis-a-vis its requirement, management of resources comes into play and with management, planning runs parallel as an integral part.  

Lester Robert Bittel stresses the need of planning in these words, "Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true." Yes, planning in itself is a thoughtful, unique and creative task which requires lots of input as it is regarded as a very important time and project management technique. Actually, it prepares the roadmap with requisite details for achieving the desired goal. To say specifically, this exercise requires out-of-box thinking; doing things differently. The planning process formulates strategies such as organising, delegating, supervising, recognising, rewarding etc. It is goal centric and focuses on achieving the set goal within the set time frame. Hence, the planning exercise incorporates various aspects such as goal setting, fixing timelines, preparing roadmaps, resource requirements, strategy for managing workforce and so on with necessary checks and balances to be reviewed periodically in totality. It also takes into account the rules, regulations and local conditions. The basic idea is to save several hours of doing by spending a few hours of good planning.

Before moving forward, it is interesting to enjoy and get enlightened by what some other experts have to say to emphasize the point of today’s discussion. According to Alan Lakein, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now." The famous football coach, Paul Bear Bryant says, "Have a plan. Follow the plan, and you'll be surprised how successful you can be. Most people don't have a plan. That's why it's easy to beat most folks."

Yes, every planning process does have cushion for effecting last minute changes, if at all warranted. It also keeps alternatives ready in case some course correction becomes imperative, because we know very well that all the times all the things do not go strictly as per the planning due to its dependence on both controllable as well as non-controllable variables. To say, perfect planning takes care of both the unforeseen and unplanned aspects in such a fashion that for onlookers it looks like a very smooth and normal activity. Undoubtedly, planning is basically a proactive and dynamic process full of suspense and certainties, which we all experience and enjoy in our lives to varying degrees.

Now let us discuss the execution aspect. Undeniably, well done is always better than well-said. Ideally therefore, execution of any project must be as per the approved plan. Ironically however, individuals, the corporates and the governments fail on this front in different ways and magnitude. You might be knowing about the two terms - cost escalation and time escalation, the fallouts of bad execution. Here, I refrain from elaborating on the corruption aspect related particularly to government projects which is one of the main reasons for delayed completion of the projects at the cost of taxpayers' money. In general, due to non-compliance with the execution timeline which is very much an integral part of the planning document, the projects are delayed unnecessarily. Actually, the reward and punishment system governing the timely execution is not strictly implemented on the ground. Another reason for not executing the planned work is a change of policy or change in major goal.

So, it is rightly said that planning and execution are two sides of the same coin. Without right planning, the execution becomes ineffective. Likewise, even the best of planning can’t produce desired results without effective execution. To say, in order to register better results consistently in your life and elsewhere, it is necessary to ensure right planning and its effective execution.  

As always, I'm keen to know what you think on this subject. Hence, I request you to post your comments to share your valuable opinion.  (hellomilansinha@gmail.com)

                    

# Published in my Sunday Column of "Morning India" daily.