7A Execution Model

Execution is a hot topic worldwide, and it is popular for of two reasons. Firstly, nobody doubts the importance of execution. Secondly, no one can really produce a fit-to-all tool that can solve problems in this particular area.

As a performance consulting company, we have been asked countless times over the past decade to help our clients to either accelerate execution or to solve the problems of no execution. We can’t say that we have the omnipotent solution that can solve all problems; however, we are confident in saying that you might discover your own solution by understanding the insights we have gained in helping others accelerate execution.

Directing ->Developing

What normally hinders execution when you want to get things done? Have you ever thought about why you have that exhilarating feeling that nothing can stop you when you are first visualizing a result? In attempting to answer these questions, we are lead to the following conclusion:

Execution is not a simple plan-support-do process. It is a process of directing attention and solving problems.

According to our research, the most common obstacles of execution are:

1. Lack of consensus on direction, roadmap, and methods
2. Assignments with ambiguous descriptions
3. Lack of necessary resources, including materials, tools, or skills
4. Lack of alternative solutions
5. Lack of detailed performance standards
6. Inability to visualize the end result

With the 7A Execution Model, we drive execution by dealing with challenges in two critical stages in execution. Stage 1 is the DIRECTING cycle. Stage 2 is the DEVELOPING cycle.

DIRECTING CYCLE

At this stage, the most critical objective is to explicitly communicate to everyone involved that we are on the right track, that we will achieve the desired results, and that we will all be rewarded by achieving the results.

Align
Here we systematically evaluate the value of the initiative and make sure all sponsors, stakeholders, process owners, and team members are thinking alike in terms of goals, milestones, and success factors.

Acquire
In order to make an initiative successful we need to acquire people, processes, and policies. First, people must have ownership of what they are going to accomplish. Second, processes, policies, and prerequisites such as skills, knowledge, and understanding must be deployed and communicated throughout the team.

Assign
After seeing the big picture of the initiative, the next important thing to do is to act small. Everyone involved in the initiative must be given a clearly defined Job Description, Output Description, and Value Description (see JD is Not Enough for details). These are the foundations for creating value as a team member. An effective schedule is also identified at this step and everyone should have the tools for managing their time, focus, productivity, and output.

DEVELOPING CYCLE

In this cycle, the key objective is to make sure all actions are on the right track and can lead to the desired results.

Act
Everyone acts on the plans that have been deployed and communicated throughout the team. Thus the results will be generated gradually.

Assess
All results must be assessed according to the agreed-upon criteria. All systems by which the results were produced will also be evaluated.

Adjust
In order to improve the quality of both the process and the results, the methods and next steps are to be fine-tuned according to the assessment discoveries.

THE FINAL “A”: ACHIEVE

To execute is to achieve. However, the completion of a process doesn’t guarantee achievement. There are two key components of an achievement. One is the value that is created by the outcome, and for the organization as a whole. The other is the learning outcome generated by that particular execution process.

Attention is the most critical parameter in execution, and the 7A Execution Model is an effective tool for directing attention in any initiative or project. In doing so, all resources—materials, tools, processes, knowledge, skills, and time—can be optimally allocated to maximize the effectiveness of any effort.

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