Don’t you find it difficult to anticipate lately? I don’t know about you. Me, in uncertainty, I need landmarks, so does my team and Unique coaching! Here are two tools to anticipate in times of uncertainty.
These tools come from the brainstorming carried out as part of the creation of our new Acting in Uncertainty training.
As in everything, it was necessary to prioritise, in relation to relevance and time, as well as the common thread of the training (the objective of the training).
Here are two tools to anticipate that are not found in the Acting in Uncertainty training?
Let’s start by defining agile anticipation, then the tools.
Agile anticipation
What is your general definition of anticipation? I often hear that it is a question of planning, of taking the time to assess the situation.
Agile anticipation is observing around + seeing the impacts and consequences, then acting (deciding or doing).
So, it’s not JUST planning. There is really a question of openness to what surrounds us. Opening up to the market, to the context, observing what is happening, how others are like, how we feel.
Case in point:
Let’s say I want to offer a new training, because I have a great idea, right now. To anticipate in agile mode, before taking action, I will take a step back. This time can be very short, or more exhaustive.
Observe: Is this the right time to offer this training? What do I know about the market? What do I control? Who are my strangers? Is this training aligned with my objectives or mission?
See the impacts and consequences: if I take the time to create and launch this training, what impacts and consequences will it have on our operations, our priorities?
Then I decide, or I do (I act).
Agile anticipation is observing, being aware of the impacts and consequences in order to act (decide or do).
Tool #1: Flags
During a planning or operational update meeting with your team, or on your own with your own work plan or todo list, indicate a red, yellow or green flag next to a task.
It’s very simple, you might say.
That’s why it’s effective.
Because to do that, you’re going to have to ask yourself a few questions: what makes you put a red, yellow or green flag? The risk? The impacts on operations? The delays? Oops, you forgot to talk to a colleague about this task??
? To take the tool further, share your list with colleagues for discussion. This allows you to see what you may not see!
Like what:
Everyone puts a flag on the same project or task. If you don’t have the same flag, it can generate a great opportunity to clarify, adjust, and anticipate in a more accurate way.
Anticipating means asking the right questions to have clarity on reality.
What to do with the flags?
To complete the anticipation process, indicate the proactive actions you can take on the yellow or red flags. The idea is to avoid falling into a reaction. Anticipating is not JUST observing either. Acting on what you see allows you to anticipate in an agile way.
Make a simple action plan for yellow or red flags, in the form of a 4-column table: who / what / when / comments.
Tool #2: The Premortem
The 2nd tool for anticipating and the premortem. I love this tool because it can be quite fun, and since we need some joy these days, I love it even more!
Here is the canva:
Essentially, we think about what could cause the project not to succeed. Often, doing a counterintuitive exercise allows you to have a new vision, and it changes!
The method:
- Alone or in a team, fill out the canva. I prefer to start with an individual version and then a team sharing.
- After sharing, prioritize items that could go wrong. What is the highest priority should be the most “dangerous” to the success of the project.
- Then, together, brainstorm to find out what you can do or decide to anticipate, and thus, facilitate the success of the project. Your ideas for mitigating risks.
- Follow up during the project!
The elements of the premortem:
- Initial goals and original plan: Already if you don’t have any, or if they are not clear to all the members involved, clarify it.
- Threats or things that may go wrong: List everything that comes to mind.
- Mitigation: Your ideas for solutions, actions, to mitigate risks, or facilitate success!
Conclusion
Anticipating in agile mode requires observing, seeing the impacts and future consequences and taking action!
If you only analyze or observe, you don’t anticipate in agile mode. Your ability to anticipate will develop with a greater awareness of your surroundings, of your environment. This will help you prioritize, observe, and ACT!
These were two tools for anticipating in uncertainty. The “anticipating” component of our Acting in Uncertainty training contains several others.
For my part, I’m always curious to know your best tools, don’t hesitate to put them in the comments below!