Delivering Results

Been doing some reading on managing projects and delivering results, with several resources worth sharing. In 4 Disciplines of Executions the authors highlight keys to success are to:

1. Focus on the wildly important
2. Act on the lead measures
3. Keep a compelling scorecard
4. Create a cadence of accountability

Another tool which is similar but different is the OKR — Objectives and Key Results- , initially implemented by Andy Grove at Intel, before being adopted at Google and becoming a key ingredient in their phenomenal quest for world domination. OKR’s have the following ingredients (as outlined in the excellent book by Christina Wodtke):

• Objectives answer the question “Where do I want to go?”
• Answering “How will I know if I’m getting there?” provides your Key Results

They are:

• Set quarterly and annually and graded each quarter
• Measurable and set as stretched targets so you only have a 70% chance of achieving them — they should feel a bit uncomfortable
• Reviewed weekly by the team — set a cadence that makes sure the group both remembers what they are trying to accomplish and holds each other accountable . “Mondays are for promises; Fridays are for winners”
• Set at personal, team and company levels
• Available to be viewed by the whole company — everyone in the company should be able to see what everyone else is working on (and how they did in the past).