Author: Mike Urgo
We need to increase velocity.
How can we automate our processes?
How can the project be done faster?
At 16 years old, when I got my driver’s license, riding in my car was known as Mr. Toads wild ride (notice the theme here?). I say that to say: I love going fast.
But, I also love efficiency.
I believe many executive leaders are losing sight of efficiency for speed.
Now, before everyone gets all up in arms, this week’s episode isn’t here to poo poo automation or moving towards AI.
This episode is about slowing down to speed up.
When I wrote down this topic in my notes app, I was listening to an executive talk about a recent software implementation. The point they kept driving home was just how quickly they were able to go live with the new tool. This was all well and good until the executive left the room. Once they left, the real story came out, and it’s a story I know all too well.
Yes, the executive could report to their peers and investors that the product was live.
But did it work? Was it being used?
Kind of.
That’s the thing, it’s never completely that cut and dry. Narratives can be spun in both directions, which is why it’s so important to focus on the data.
That’s my point. If you’re a leader reading this or listening to the episode, don’t focus on how fast something gets done. Obviously, you want things done quickly, but only if it relieves the original pain that was identified. Call it a traceability matrix, call it whatever you want, there needs to be a tie back to the original value proposition.
Did the solution fix the original problem?
The only way to know is to be sure the team is doing their due diligence before the project kicks off to make sure there are true KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) identified prior to the project. This way, when the solution is live, you can measure whether the solution is successful. Success isn’t going live.
Success is solving the original problem / pain was identified. If it takes a few extra months or planning to achieve that in the long run, it’s a way better result than putting something in quickly that doesn’t get adopted and costs an arm and a leg to fix over an even longer period.
So rather than focusing on speed. Focus on the solution and adoption and take the time to get it right the first time. It will save you time and money in the long run. It will also give you more credibility with your people and executives. I would rather be known as the guy who takes the time to do it right than the guy who does it fast but always comes back for multiple change orders to fix mistakes that occurred.
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