6 Real Reasons Why Plans Fail
Have you ever experienced a situation where things didn’t go according to plan? We’ve all been there. It’s so tempting to point fingers at external factors or blame the universe for our mishaps, but that approach rarely leads to improvement. Instead, let’s explore the real reasons why plans go awry and how we can structure our approach for success. By understanding these six key factors, we can build better systems, learn from our mistakes, and increase our chances of achieving our goals. A tale of unexpected outcomes But first, let me tell you what prompted me to write this. I was helping out in a school recently and an incident really got me thinking about how we don’t teach our children how to build their own systems and robustly analyse why something didn’t work. We want them to have a growth mindset and to be better tomorrow than they were today, but do we ever really teach them how? There was a group of 8 boys and they all had been tasked with planning a 3-course meal to cook on an open fire and divide the ingredients list between them. When they arrived on the day, only one boy had brought something in and 7 hadn’t. In all fairness, the one boy had volunteered to bring in the lion’s share of the meal, probably for an easy life, but there was definitely no dessert, and understandably, the teacher wasn’t happy with the rest of them for not organising themselves and bringing something in. I did, however, identify a couple of flaws with this task, and even though schools would love 10 and 11-year-olds to start organising themselves better in preparation for senior school, the truth is we all know plenty of adults that haven’t even mastered it yet and most of us will need to be shown how to build our own systems and processes at some point in order to succeed in life. I have worked in assurance and improvement for a while so I could identify the issues, but I’d never really sat down and analysed the complete set of stumbling blocks with any plan. Armed with this list, we can actively get better at anything, assuming these 3 conditions exist: We consider the facts with an honest and open mind. We have the ability and desire to analyse and get under the skin of an issue. We get used to looking back as well as forward and are continuously learning about ourselves and our habits and others as well. Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail It’s a well-known phrase so why do so many people still wing it? Of course, there have been some very successful ‘happy accidents’ such as the pacemaker, super glue, and penicillin but if an actor turned up on stage without rehearsing their lines, or a large company didn’t make business continuity plans in case of disaster, then it would be pretty foolish of them. Planning is a life skill that needs to be taught and developed. Planning helps to avoid unpredictable outcomes. Planning helps us to learn. Now we know what conditions need to be in place to get the most out of planning, let’s dive into the 6 real reasons why plans fail. Confusion: When there’s confusion about the task, its expectations, or the purpose behind it, success becomes elusive. To overcome this hurdle, ensure everyone involved has a crystal-clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. By being clear, you lay a solid foundation for a positive outcome. Communication: Communication breakdowns can sabotage even the best-laid plans. Like my yoga instructor once said, if several people get into the wrong position, it’s a sign of inadequate communication. Establish open lines of communication among all parties involved, encouraging transparency and creating a safe space for effective information sharing. Skills and Knowledge: Sometimes, a lack of skills, abilities, or knowledge can hinder progress. It’s important to recognise our limitations and seek opportunities for growth. Actively pursue learning, seek guidance, and embrace a proactive mindset to acquire the tools needed to accomplish the task at hand. Organisation: Organisation is a skill that can make or break a plan. While some may seem naturally inclined towards it, anyone can cultivate organisational abilities if they are shown the way to create systems and processes that are user-friendly and enable seamless execution. Something as simple as a well-structured list can significantly improve our ability to remember and prioritise tasks. Clear Boundaries and Scope: Unclear boundaries and scope can lead to unpredictable outcomes and unmet expectations. Take the time to define and communicate the parameters of the task clearly. What might be obvious to one person may not be so to another. By establishing clear boundaries, you ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. Resourcefulness: Sometimes, the lack of necessary resources can pose a significant challenge. Resourcefulness is a valuable skill that helps us find creative solutions. Identify alternative approaches, seek assistance, and communicate effectively with relevant stakeholders. By harnessing resourcefulness, you can tackle obstacles head-on and find ways to accomplish your objectives. While there may be other contributing factors to plans not going as expected, understanding these six common reasons can help us prepare for success. By addressing confusion, improving communication, acquiring the right skills and knowledge, fostering organisation, establishing clear boundaries, and embracing resourcefulness, we enhance our chances of achieving our desired outcomes. The boys’ cooking session wasn’t completely ruined, they did get to cook and eat a fair amount of food, but I’m not sure they learned how to avoid the same happening in the future. The stakes were low in this case, but so was the progress. Whether in business, personal life, or education, these principles are applicable and adaptable, empowering us to build robust systems and processes that lead to success. So, the next time things don’t go according to plan, remember to analyse these key factors