Thought for Friday: Opportunity in a New Plan

Here’s an article by Jason Goodwin called “My son built a boat, and now we’ll live like millionaires” https://www.countrylife.co.uk/comment-opinion/jason-goodwin-my-son-built-a-boat-and-well-live-like-millionaires-218843 (638 words) [Country Life, 29-Sep-2020]

In the article Goodwin notes how simple, affordable plans can help us quickly build a structure to personalise and gain enjoyment from. It also notes how, even though we may have a structure, our plans to use it may be altered, destroyed or delayed by the unexpected. This is where the experience gained by building the structure assists in rebuilding from the plan or attempting a different, more ambitious plan. For us, this is part of planning, refinement and pivoting.

Some things to consider:

  • Seeking utility. The essence of the need for structure.

  • Meeting the customer. The plan to fulfil the need.

  • Shaping based on feedback. The unexpected as an opportunity.

What are you planning? What is the unexpected? Where are you using your experience?

How does this thinking apply to you in your Tribe / Support Function? What is your structure? What changes are you expecting? Where is the opportunity to attempt different?

Why is this important? Good question. A good plan could be described as a simple plan. As a plan becomes complicated our attachment to it grows. This attachment crowds out the opportunity to refine or pivot in the face of the unexpected. Switching our attachment to the customer and seeking utility opens the door to challenge structure and find the opportunity in a new plan.     

For further viewing / reading:

Inviting you to have a view / read and to have a chat with me about your thoughts.

[Originally posted internally in my role in IS Governance at The Warehouse Group.]