The Art of Implementation

The overall success of a Civil 3D Implementation depends on people quickly discovering for themselves what goals to set and what to do to achieve them. When approached from this standpoint, the work is more rewarding for the people involved.

There are three keys to a rapid results initiative:

1. Must be results oriented
2. Must be vertical
3. Must be fast

Results Oriented
Determine a single goal, and work toward producing a measurable result.

For example: You can’t define your goal as “Implementing Civil 3D.” The goal is too broad, and doesn’t resolve a business issue – don’t make change for change sake. Instead, set your sights on something like: “Increase productivity by 25% over the next 3 months.”

This results oriented approach is important for three reasons. First, it allows project planners to test whether activities in the overall plan will add up to the intended result and allows them to alter the plans as needed. Second, it produces real benefits in the short term. Finally, being able to deliver results is rewarding and energizing. Increasing or maintaining self-esteem and pleasure are strong motivators for engaging in learning experiences.

Vertical
Implementation plans typically unfold as a series of activities represented on a horizontal timeline (Gantt chart). By contrast, rapid-results initiatives encompass vertical slices of several horizontal activities running in tandem in a short timeframe – an effort including people from different teams within an organization (or even different organizations). This vertical approach is more of an exercise in creativity, but is necessary to foster the growth of out of the box thinkers. And when change happens, you’ll need out of the box thinkers.

Fast
Rapid results initiatives are intended to deliver quick wins. The short time frame fosters a sense of personal challenge and accomplishment.

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