Monitoring your journey is key to the success of your implementation efforts. This entails taking periodic looks at how you’re coming along and making any necessary adjustments. Sometimes this may simply mean “fine tuning” your Strategic Implementation plan and process. Other times it may mean taking corrective action and completely revamping parts of it. You want to be sure that the results you are achieving correspond to the objectives you set out to meet. In other words, are you accomplishing what you intended?
To do this, look for progress on meeting target dates. Are you on schedule? Are any adjustments necessary? Have you been too ambitious or not ambitious enough in regards to the timeframe of the implementation process?
In regards to your employees, look for signs that they have taken the process to heart. How closely do they associate their own roles with your organizational purpose? Is it clear that they have truly grasped the corporate message you have endeavored to send them? Can they tell you exactly what your corporate aims are? Every employee must know what they are doing and why. Commitment is essential at all levels of the organization. If this is happening, then your action plan is probably working.
Finally, look for opportunities to review the entire strategic development process. Ask yourself and your employees, “What is going well?” What isn’t?” “What changes might you suggest for next time around?” The feedback you receive will assist you and your organization greatly.