The A.C.E. (method) up your sleeve

Assess the needs of your assignment, problem, project, or initiative - whether starting from scratch, coming in mid-stream, or orchestrating a turnaround

Review all relevant background details and supporting documentation, consulting with key stakeholders

Confirm the parameters of the situation - the scope, the main players, the issues, the timeline, and the financial considerations

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the internal and external landscapes to understand all possible impacts

Envision and brainstorm the universe of possibilities - beyond ‘what is’ to what could or should be

Conceptualize and articulate the blue-sky ideal outcomes

Outline and analyze the strategic and/or tactical options, weighing the pros and cons of each

Gain alignment on the concrete business objectives

Identify key performance metrics to measure success

Conduct a gap analysis between the current state and the desired future outcome

Outline the roadmap to bridge the gaps and accomplish the agreed-upon goals

Flesh out the plan, confirming timelines and budgets and establishing milestones and checkpoints

Execute with excellence

Measure and document the results