Phase Four: Plan and Implement the Solution

After deciding on the solution, we implement the decision by effective planning. Good planning is a step-by-step process for avoiding potential problems.

As supervisor, you will have to direct others to implement the solution, "sell" the solution, or facilitate the implementation with the help of others. Involving others in the implementation is an effective way to gain buy-in and support and minimize resistance to subsequent changes.

Regardless of how the solution is rolled out, feedback channels should be built into the implementation. This allows for continuous monitoring and testing of actual events against expectations. Problem solving, and the techniques used to gain clarity, are most effective if the solution remains in place and is updated to respond to future changes.

Now that we have decided, we are ready to write a planning statement in objective form. A planning statement is simply a description of exactly what we want to accomplish. Such a statement should have the following three characteristics:

1. Quantifiable
2. Result
3. Completion date

After you have written a planning statement, you can then develop the steps you will take to achieve them. As you identify the steps in your plan, establish completion dates for each step. But do not assign a final number to your steps at this point, as you may need to add additional steps later.

As an example, I know a person – let’s call her Elizabeth – whose planning statement was “to become a manager in her organisation within four years”. The initial steps of her plan looked something like this: