A Set of Wheels (for goal planning)

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Over decades we’ve developed simple and often visual processes that help teams articulate their goals and work out their strategy. We have used these processes to facilitate hundreds of events for our clients all over the world, and now we want to share some of them more broadly with you.

Here’s one to get the ball rolling!

A GOOD SET OF WHEELS is a straightforward process that encourages teams to clarify their resource requirements ahead of embarking on ambitious goals. Too many great ideas and projects fail because we don’t do a deep dive into what we currently have in place that is usable and what extra resources we will need. Thinking and planning ahead makes for a much smoother ride.

The process consists of five stages which can be completed as part of a team exercise or by yourself at your computer. If you want to do this as a facilitated activity, here are the steps.

1.    Draw the cab of a large truck on a sheet of flipchart paper. Then write the primary project goal or team objective within the drawing.

2.    Next draw the truck body supported by two wheels on a separate sheet of flip chart paper. [You can prepare these sheets in advance if you prefer]. In this space, you want to record all of the necessary resources that the team currently has at its disposal which will help them deliver their desired outcome. Encourage as many suggestions as possible from everyone and record everything, only avoiding duplication.

3.    Then, draw a second truck body with two wheels on another sheet of flip chart paper [or use one you have prepared earlier}. This is where you need to record everything else that you think will be necessary for a successful outcome, but you do not currently have in place or have access to. This needs to be a comprehensive list of skills, knowledge, tools, people, materials, spaces, attitudes, partners, cash/investment, time and anything else you can think of. You will probably find that you need extra truck bodies, creating a huge articulated monster.

4.    Assemble your complete truck by putting all the pieces of flipchart together on a wall and then label each section. [Cab = Goal: Front Body = Haves: Back Body = Have Nots]. See image below.

Wheels process for goal planning and identifying resource needs

6. Finally, stand back and review the complete picture.

   1. Look for any gaps or mismatches between your identified goal and your capacity to deliver it.

   2. Discuss where and how you will access the additional resources you have identified will be required

   3. Consider whether you need to stop doing some other things to make time for this goal.

   4. Question your goal: is it clear enough and is it even possible with current limitations? Do you need to revise it or renegotiate it with your stakeholders?

      
      

Simple activities like this are great for stimulating discussion and help a team articulate its goals and needs. Use it and let us know how you get on.

We'll be sharing more tools like this, so check out our site regularly.