What Should I Do Next

Week 3 Checkpoint: What Should I Do Next?
MGT/210











Ed Jackson should begin by telling Kim exactly what is expected of her, Ed should understand what Kim's plans are to ensure all goals are met. Ed Jackson should explain in detail how he wants Kim to form a plan from the plan that he has asked her to prepare for the next fiscal year. The plan Kim creates should include: goals, action plans, and a contingency plan.   Ed should then ask another departmental manager who has experience in writing these plans to assist in helping Kim write her plan.

Kim should begin by waiting for Ed to respond to her, informing her of all the details he would like to have included in her report. Once Ed responds to her, Kim should begin by asking questions using the four W's + H method. What should I include? Who should complete each task? When should each goal be achieved? Why should each goal be achieved? How should I implement each goal?   Kim should now begin thinking of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. Including S.M.A.R.T. goals should allow Kim to create a plan that will not fail. Kim will always find that there is difficulty in achieving some of her specific goals, but should should have a back-up plan to assist in helping her achieve all of her departmental goals, this is when Kim must develop a contingency plan, What do we do when the plan does not work, how can we fix the problem?

Kim's initial reaction to the planning process was not unusual for a supervisor who has no experience with creating this type of plan. Kim did right by explaining to Ed that she is not familiar with what he has asked her to do. Now that Kim and Ed have spoken of what is expected of her, Kim will now be able to create a fail-proof plan.