Crafting a Strategic Work Plan with the SBM™
From SBM™ to Simple (and Strategic) Work Plan
As a business leader, you're no stranger to the complexities that come with steering your organization toward success. Every day, new challenges emerge, demanding your attention and strategic thinking. Amidst this chaos, what you need is a clear roadmap—a Strategic Work Plan (SWP) that not only addresses immediate concerns but also aligns your entire organization's efforts over the long term. In this blog post, we'll explore how you can harness the power of The Simple Business Model™ (SBM) to create a strategic work plan that propels your company forward.
"SWP is a tool that facilitates the work of a team, and therefore coordination among the different participants will be fundamental."
The Essence of a Strategic Work Plan
Before we go into the process, could we clarify what makes a work plan strategic? Unlike standard work plans, a strategic work plan spans an extended period, typically three to five years, and encompasses the entire organization. It is a guiding document outlining coordinated activities to achieve specific objectives. A well-crafted SWP answers critical questions about where your organization is heading, what actions are needed, timelines for preparation, and resource requirements. It's the tool that facilitates alignment and monitoring of progress.
The Simple Business Model - SBM™ is your ideal companion for developing an SWP. Why? Because it covers every facet of your company, defining how they interrelate and facilitating the measurement of crucial operational parameters. First, ensure you've already created your Business Model, as detailed in Chapter 2 of Adrian E. Gonzalez Reyna's SBM™.
Getting Started with Your SWP
- Self-Assessment: Conduct a self-assessment exercise to understand your organization's current state, like capturing a landscape before building a new house. This step will help you identify your starting point quickly.
- Objective Setting: With a clear starting point, set achievable, challenging, and measurable objectives over your desired period (typically three to five years). These objectives should serve as guiding stars for your organization.
- Team Coordination: SWP is a collaborative tool, so coordination among your team members is crucial. Define in detail how participants will communicate and through which channels.
- Resource Allocation: As you identify all the activities, you'll likely realize that resource constraints or time limitations exist. Prioritize your actions by selecting what to prioritize and what to postpone or discard.
- Creating a Valuable Tool:
Your SWP should not be a multipage document. It should become integral to your organization's operational protocol, guiding most of its actions. Encourage consultation, updating, and continuous revision.
A Strategic Work Plan is your organization's compass for the long journey ahead. It's a dynamic, adaptable tool that guides your actions, helps you prioritize, and ensures team alignment. With The Simple Business Model - SBM™ by your side, you can streamline the process of crafting an effective SWP that considers the long-term horizon.
In a world where complexity is the norm, simplicity in planning and execution is a rare gem. Embrace the power of The Simple Business Model™, and you'll find yourself equipped to navigate the dynamic and challenging terrain of business leadership with clarity and confidence. Your SWP will not just be a plan—it will be your strategic ally in charting the course towards lasting success.
