Are you so busy that new projects are getting shelved before they start, and strategic initiatives are simply wish list items? You aren’t alone, but you may be surprised that time is not your enemy. Organizational inertia is.
There are many ways to describe organizational inertia, but at its most basic level it is the symptom of a business that has become set in its ways in thinking, actions or both…ultimately leading the company to miss opportunities to change in ways that would make it more competitive, increase its opportunities and profitability.
Breaking out of set ways does not have to mean undertaking a big disruptive project with a high risk of failure. A single incremental change that is part of a larger strategic initiative can lead to major changes in thinking and attitudes that ultimately create a new appetite for change organization-wide.
Choosing the Right Project
Probably the easiest part of breaking through organizational inertia is choosing a project. You probably have a long list of projects you have been wanting to initiate. Choosing one may seem difficult, but there a number of ways to narrow the list to make the choice easier.
Start by looking at the length of time each project is estimated to take and decide on a cutoff for the first one, and then further filter choices by estimated cost and projected ROI (sorting by one or the other can even help make the choice easier). By starting with these filters, it is easier to be sure to apply SMART objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-specific) to the project of choice.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Setting SMART objectives is only the first step in setting your project up for success. While a good idea for any project, a “premortem” is a great idea for a project that is expected to break through organizational inertia.
As described by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, a premortem is a short pre-project process that helps identify possible project failure points to avoid potential problems that could cause the project to not have the full impact as was anticipated. By gathering all employees expected to be involved in the project and describing the project and asking for reasons why the project might fail, you can remove obstacles before the project begins and help ensure success.
Having a good partner can also make a big difference if you are trying to overcome organizational inertia. Triple Helix has been involved in many projects where our experience in scoping, defining and managing a project helped companies identify opportunities and implement the changes that they needed to become more competitive.
Our approach to data projects is always focused on making it easier to run your business, including the project itself. Our expertise is working with data, but our passion is solving problems. If you would like help breaking through organizational inertia, contact us for a risk-free consultation to see if Triple Helix can help you solve problems that are holding your business back.
