Journal 5 Part 4: Building the Plan

So what is the plan and how should it be organized? Any plan in an organization should always help to achieve the goals of the organization. For the purpose of this course, we are looking at a plan to help reduce the problems created by a large scale, unplanned event. Specifically, we have the pandemic of 2020 as a reference point.

Here are your steps for creating a plan.

1. Setting a direction or vision for the organization. Given a crisis, what is your main direction? The safety of the employees, community, or products are some points to consider. What do you want your organization to look like after this crisis is over? Is the main purpose just to survive or thrive?
2. Create measurable and realistic goals. Since the outcome of the pandemic is largely unknown, what are at least 5 short-term goals and 5 long-term goals? Remember, short-term goals are usually within a few days to a few months. Anything longer than a year would be considered a long-term goal. Make sure you describe the goals so that anyone can understand what you want the organization to do.
3. Identify your team that will help you carry this out. Who will be working with you to complete these goals? What will be their duties and responsibilities? You can have at least 3 executive leaders to help. Identify who they are and what they will be doing? How will they be reporting to you?
4. Communication Communication is critical in this time. How and what technology will you be using to get your message out to employees? Many executives found themselves using social media platforms to distribute messages to their employees where normal emails were too cold and insensitive. How frequently will you be issuing messages? What will you do if the technology fails?
5. Tracking and Feedback How are you going to track progress? Will your leaders be providing reports to you? Are you going to filter any information from frontline workers through the ranks? How big is your dream organization and how many layers will the information flow through before it gets to you? Will you be providing feedback directly or through your leaders?

Remember, you will be creating a short video as your final project. Take the time to iron out any questions that may arise from followers to your requests. You will have to present your plan confidently and well organized in your final submission. This is where you test your information.