Field Marshal
Helmuth von Moltke
No plan survives contact with
the enemy.
Strategic Flexibility
Our knowledge, at this point is incomplete. Unexpected problems arise to change any plan.
Unforeseen opportunities also arise. This is where master strategists excel. Rommel, for
example, was successful in North Africa because he often deviated from plans to take advantage
of unforeseen opportunities.
The only sure thing is change. Tasks in the near future are less likely to change than tasks
months away. I suggest two plans:
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A short term, detailed, rolling plan for 3-6 months
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A long-term, general plan for 6-36 months.
The long-term plan sets direction and budgets. The short-term plan tracks specific tasks,
activities and accomplishment. When problems and opportunities develop, these dual plans are
easy to change.
Concentration
One of von Clausewitz' principles of
war is concentration: concentrate the maximum force in the smallest area. Business strategy
has a corresponding principle for a different reason.
Few individuals or organizations cope effectively with more than 2-3 high-priority
objectives. As objectives multiply, efforts scatter and people flit from one task to another.
Everything slows down and the work that is done is half-baked. Most importantly, new practices
fail to become institutionalized.
Alexander Hamilton
Men often oppose a thing merely because they have had no agency in planning it, or because
it may have been planned by those whom they dislike.
In developing an implementation plan, ensure that no more than 2-4 major initiatives occur
simultaneously. In addition, particular individuals or groups should not be heavily involved in
more than one or two of these objectives. Maintenance and Engineering are the groups that most
frequently become overwhelmed.
Inclusiveness
It should go without saying that the planning group be inclusive. It should represent all
functions, levels and viewpoints that will be effected or might have the ability to thwart the
efforts.
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Beachhead Strategies
If we attempt to implement and migrate one initiative at a time through a large company,
results take forever. It is also difficult to sustain one initiative until the next arrives to
reinforce it.
A beachhead strategy focuses on a small area or a product. All essential elements for a
self-reinforcing, sustainable system are deployed, albeit locally. This can happen quickly. The
small area becomes a beach-head of Lean Manufacturing.
Others in the organization observe and learn from the beach-head. Gradually, one product and
one area at a time, the beachhead expands.
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D-Day, June 6, 1944
 The Allied landing in Normandy was the
largest amphibious invasion in history. Allied armies were greatly outnumbered by the Axis,
particularly during the first few days. The Axis armies, however, were spread over thousands
of miles of coastline. By concentrating the invasion on five small beaches, the Allies
developed local superiority. Before the Axis could focus sufficient force on the landing
grounds, the Allies had established a beachhead and had landed sufficient forces to defend
it.
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The Kaizen Blitz
The Kaizen Event (Blitz) is a focused
implementation that suits a beachhead strategy. The blitz has strong appeal. It is fast,
dramatic and effective. Kaizen events can implement workcells, SMED and 5S, in targeted areas,
within a week.
However, use Kaizen Events with caution; there are
significant dangers; among them are:
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Kaizen Events are tactical, not strategic.
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Kaizen requires experienced, knowledgeable and wise facilitators.
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The learning in a blitz is superficial.
Implementation Action Plan
With the elements, precedents, priorities and considerations identified, it is time to work
out an action plan with tasks,
assignments and costs.
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