The Power of Iteration in Planning and Execution

As a new manager, you may feel the pressure to get everything right on the first try. But the reality is that most successful projects go through several rounds of planning, revision, and refinement. Iteration is not a sign of failure; it’s a powerful tool for improvement and growth.

In one of my first projects, I spent weeks drafting a detailed plan. I thought I had covered all the bases, but during a review session, my team pointed out areas that needed adjustment. Initially, I was disheartened, but I realized that these revisions made the plan stronger. By the time we finalized it, the project was much more resilient to potential issues, and we executed it smoothly.

Here are three practical tips for incorporating iteration into your managerial process:

Encourage Early Feedback

Don’t wait until a plan is fully fleshed out to gather feedback. Share early drafts with your team or stakeholders to identify potential issues before they become ingrained in the final plan. This can save time and prevent major revisions later on.

Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

When initial drafts fall short, view them as learning moments. Reflect on what went wrong, identify the areas for improvement, and make necessary adjustments. This iterative process will help you create more refined plans over time.

Document and Reflect on Each Iteration

After each round of revision, document the changes made and the reasons behind them. This will not only provide a record of your thought process but also help in evaluating what worked and what didn’t in future projects.

Clarifying Question

How can you create a culture within your team that values iteration and sees feedback as a crucial part of the planning process?

By fostering a mindset that embraces feedback and iteration, you can lead your team to develop stronger plans and execute projects with greater confidence.