Perfect Execution or The Perfect Plan

I read a white paper some years ago, published by a well known global consulting firm, which stated something similar. The hypothesis, which was successfully argued, was that, "Perfect Execution delivers better results than a Perfect Plan."

The fundamental process for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is DMAIC - Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. The essence of the American Express article is that, in corporate America, we sometimes get bogged down in the Analyze phase of any launch or implementation. We sometimes feel we need to know the minutiae of detail before we feel comfortable taking the risk of launch/implementation.

The fact is, that without risk, there is no reward. Referring again to LSS methodology, being risk averse completely bypasses the Improve phase of the DMAIC process. Beta testing, used by the IT industry, is in essence, a Pilot Project - something that is often used in the Improve phase of DMAIC. The purpose of pilot testing is to gather information not available by any other means. In other words, you are launching/implementing without all the data you need.

Collection of the data gathered by the pilot/beta test, allows you to tweak your process/product so that you can Control (read as "sustain") results and at some future date, Validate (another key component of the LSS methodology) the process/product.

Given this argument, it is far more important that the pilot/beta testing, be executed flawlessly. Execution is the most critical factor. Disciplined execution will provide all the data that is needed and much that was unexpected and which can also be used. It also places trust in the end user of the product or process, which gives them "skin in the game." This kind of leverage drives both the success and sustainability of the implementation/launch.

When doing investigations, which often use LSS tools (Fault Tree Analysis), it is far better to execute robust Root Cause Analysis, and appropriate Counter Measures, than it is to try and find every little reason why the Loss Event occurred. This approach (the perfect plan) can soon become counter productive. I'll share more on this in a later post about Draining The Pond. In the meantime, think about what will get you the results you desire...

Perfect Execution or The Perfect Plan.