Does your organisation have a plan?<\/p>\n
Most do, however they describe it.\u00a0 If that is you, hopefully it is not just one that sits on the shelf, mentioned only in annual\u00a0reports or grant applications, but it is also something that informs what you do and where you put your resources and energies.<\/p>\n
Like anything, however, plans evolve and change and need updating and revising regularly.\u00a0 This post suggests\u00a0a few things you might consider of you are currently involved in that process, particularly around time.<\/p>\n
Firstly, give your plan a life span.\u00a0 If you are revising it now, also decide now when you will revise it again and make yourself a note to remind you of that decision.\u00a0 Of course. that is not to stop you changing it in the meantime as things evolve.\u00a0 However, setting yourselves a clear future date when you will come back to it to review it (or even change it completely) helps you keep the process fresh and dynamic.<\/p>\n
Be realistic about what can be achieved by when.\u00a0 Many plans underestimate what can be achieved in the short term, whilst overestimating what is possible in the long term.\u00a0 Think hard about what will be done by when and by whom?\u00a0 Could you challenge and stretch your organisation a bit more in the immediate future and, conversely,\u00a0are you being too ambitious with that long term aspiration?<\/p>\n
Finally, give yourself plenty of quality time now as you review and revise what you have in front of you, preferably also involving others.\u00a0 It may need time out of the office or even on the beach.<\/a>\u00a0 generally the more time you give to this now, the better and more useful the plans will be<\/p>\n