Implementing the Plan
No matter how good the plan, it is in the follow-through where it shines – to be effective requires monitored implementation. It is leadership’s role to assure that good planning takes place, and to monitor the implementation, understand the value that it brings to the continuous improvement process, and evaluate whether or not the actions are achieving desired outcomes. It is also leadership’s role to create the conditions for success including supportive behavior and access to resources.
Monitoring/Evaluation
One of the reasons the online technology plan uses the term “actions” rather than goals or strategies, is to give emphasis to the need to do something. The tool provides a simple evaluation table to identify whether or not progress has been made in completing a listed action and thus achieving the desired goal(s). If no progress was made, the organization should consider refining its action(s).
Little or |
Some |
Significant |
Goal has been |
0-10% |
11-50% |
51-99% |
100% |
Evaluation provides the organization with a way to understand how affective it has been in implementing the plan, where it stands in progress toward meeting its goals, and whether or not the defined action is right for the organization. Milestone reports are useful in demonstrating effective use of resources and the need to continue or rethink the direction that the plan is taking. Review and realignment, especially in the ever-changing world of technology, is essential.