To make sure I get things done, I create long lists, checking them off, and take my calendar out and schedule everything working backwards from where I currently am.
Perhaps that's why I am so sold on LWP's project planning tools. The project planners are built with the end project in mind, and help you and your team work backwards.
Any major project that you are contemplating — RMS, a Maintenance Program, a marketing plan — should begin with the Idea Focuser. Is this project worthwhile? What will be the benefit? What is the expected outcome and how will it impact the practice? Without a clear vision of the goal, you and your team will find it difficult to implement change.
Next comes the Implementation Focuser. The Implementation Focuser should ideally be used in a team session to identify areas of responsibility and anticipate and plan for potential roadblocks. The Implementation Focuser helps to break down the project into smaller steps and allocate responsibility and deadlines for each step.
If you're a Lawyers With Purpose member, these tools can be found in the Firm Resources Tab, in the Planning and Goal Setting Folder (if not, contact us so we can tell you more about them).
So, what's needed to successfully implement a new project?
1. A clear idea of the benefit of the project. What, exactly, is the anticipated outcome and why is this important? What will be the return on investment? After the anticipated work and cost of the project, what will be the payoff?
2. What will the finished project look like? Before the project is begun, every team member should have a clear view of all of the details of the finished project. What is the goal? What will success look like? How will it work? Who will be responsible for the continued well-being of the project once it is completed?
3. Anticipate the roadblocks, and allocate responsibility and deadlines. Plan for the bumps in the road.
4. Schedule weekly project reviews. This doesn't have to be an additional meeting. This can be covered during your weekly team meeting. But, be aware that responsibility without accountability will get you nowhere.
5. Celebrate milestones and completion of the project. Acknowledge team contributions and mark the date. Mark the date so that, going forward, you can track the impact your new project has on the successes of your firm. You may want to have before and after numbers in order to measure the success of the project.
If you and your team are contemplating the implementation of big projects in 2015, be sure to document your projects, and include your CC&I coach in the planning process.
If you would like to know more about Lawyers With Purpose and the tools we have to offer to help build and grow your estate or elder law practice, join us in a few weeks in Charlotte, NC, for our Practice With Purpose Program. We still have a few spots left so register today!
Nedra Catale – Coaching, Consulting & Implementation, Lawyers With Purpose
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