How Leaders Create Plans that Anticipate Problems

Wouldn’t it be great if the best laid plans never did go awry? And yet, that is the nature of business and the strategic plans we construct. There are bound to be changes and the key to successful implementation is flexibility.

Action learning and leadership development professionals agree: sound strategic plansmust look forward and consider that there will be hurdles to leap…the path willnot be smooth. Here is their advice:

• Be ready and willing to change. You are likely to need to adapt the plan to accommodate changes in the marketplace.
• Do your homework. Study market trends and include them in your projections even though you may not yet have been affected. Be realistic in what the future may bring and prepare for difficult scenarios as much as is possible before they occur.
• Allot adequate resources. Be sure you have set aside all the resources you will need to complete your plan successfully. Will you need additional talent or updated technology or an infusion of funds? Look ahead and garner what support you will need ahead of time.