Rapid Cycles

A rapid cycle is 5-phase process designed to cut through red tape and quickly produce results on critical initiatives. Throughout, there's a strong focus on building capability so that the learning isn't lost once the results are acheived. The cycles are modular in nature meaning they can stand alone as independent engagements or be strung together to produce larger scale change.

Phase 1. Define

• Assess current strengths and challenges
• Quickly get to a "working definition" of issues at hand
• Generate insights for action on multiple levels: leadership, execution, & organizational engagement

Phase 2. Prioritize

• Together with client, choose areas of high, medium, low priority
• Clarify desired results and specific targets in each area
• Ensure alignment across leadership team regarding path forward

Phase 3. Plan

• Charter teams to attack priorities
• Get crystal clear on how results will be measured
• Create actions plan to explore & address areas of focus
• Stress test plans - proactively predict fail points and develop strategies to mitigate them
• Clarify how teams will work together to hit goals

Phase 4. Perform

• Teams exectute plans.
• They address and push past challenges with our support
• They build momentum and "ratchet up" creative energy with each success
• They're left with a new mindset and set of skills regarding what they can achieve

Phase 5. Assess

• Measure quantitative results - Did we hit what we say we were going to hit?
• Measure qualitative results - What did we do well? What didn't we do well?
• Assess progress on an individual, team and organization-wide level as appropriate

Learn & Embed (surrounds and is integrated in all phases)

• Create intentional opportunities to "reflect in action" regularly so learning is immediate, relevant, and of greatest impact
• Continually crystallize and capture lesson learned along the way
• Where patterns arise, find ways to formalize learning for future use (stories, practices, development programs etc)