And now to implement your plan

Last month, I covered Part 3 of the problem solving process — interpreting the data — used by business consulting firms. This column delves into the fourth and final step — implementing the solution — based on that data.

Brief recap. In the first step (my December column) you framed the problem that is keeping your business from achieving your growth goals by creating an Issue Tree.

In the second step, you gathered the data by asking the right people the right questions and documented your results. In last month’s column I detailed how to tabulate and report on your data.

This final column addresses that all important implementation process.

The implementation process involves launching a pilot project. The reason for doing a pilot versus full-scale implementation is to reduce risk and disruptions (cost and process), and to uncover any unidentified issues that often occur when launching a new project.

Piloting your solution involves three steps: 1) preparing, 2) implementing, and 3) optimizing the solution to pave the path for a more effective full-scale implementation.

Preparing involves forming the team and developing an action plan. First, appoint a team leader, then build and train the team. Your action plan should have targets and timelines. With every action plan you need to determine who will do what and by when…otherwise there won’t likely be any accountability.

In addition to properly sequencing the tasks of your action plan, you’ll need to allocate the necessary resources (human and financial).

Implementing involves launching and managing your pilot project by continually evaluating and measuring performance or impact. I previously suggested that your action plan should have “targets and timelines.”

These identify the metrics you’ll measure and how often you assess whether you are on track or not.

This is the best argument for conducting a pilot, so you can take corrective actions, if necessary, before committing all of the resources necessary for full-scale implementation.

Optimizing your project will be based on the results of the pilot and the lessons learned. You’ll continue to measure the results of your corrective actions taken to determine if they get you back on track for achieving your targets.

Keep adjusting your work to optimize results. After the project team is convinced your company can successfully implement the solution, you will progress from partial pilot to full-scale.

A cautionary note. There is often a tendency to creep back to the old way of doing things. Be sure to standardize your improvements/solution to sustain your gains.

In summary, you’ll prepare by organizing your team and developing an action plan. Then, implement through a small pilot project to evaluate results and impact. Finally, optimize results by taking corrective action where necessary…then you can expand to full-scale implementation.

You can save money by being your own consultant and use the frameworks employed by consulting firms: 1) framing the problem, 2) gathering the data, and 3) interpreting the results, and 4) implementing the solution. This is a tried and true process for solving business problems and achieving breakthrough growth.

Andrew Ballard is president of Marketing Solutions, an agency specializing in growth strategies. For more information, call 425-337-1100 or go to www.mktg-solutions.com.