Our Accomplishment Framework

The purpose of this post is to share the accomplishment framework Remote DBA Experts has used to build a highly successful remote database services enterprise.

Accomplishment is a process and it necessitates an effective framework.  The framework we’ve adopted at Remote DBA Experts is fairly straight forward.  It consists of several stages:

• Aiming
• Strategizing
• Aligning
• Organizing
• Actualizing
• Tracking
• Learning
• Adjusting
• Achieving
• Celebrating

AIMING

The process begins with setting goals.  That means determining what you want to accomplish and when you want to accomplish it within some context.  That is what “Aiming” is:  Setting clear and specific goals.   Most important is finding great reasons related to as many stakeholders as possible.  The best reasons can provide great energy for action, perseverance, and resilience.

STRATEGIZING

Once clear goals and targeted dates are established, you must determine a course of action or a strategy that will best enable accomplishment of the goal(s).  This is the “game plan” so to speak:

• What needs to be done?
• Why does it need to be done?
• How will it get done?
• Who does what?

ALIGNING

Now that you have goals, target dates and strategies, you should align the stakeholder.  This is a critical stage.  This is when everyone who is involved or affected needs to get on board.  This is when you all get on the same page.  Hopefully, the key players who were involved in the prior stages will all be aligned.  But beyond this point, anyone not on board can “wreak havoc” on the goal if they do not get it.   Alignment is about making a connection between goal accomplishment and benefits for all stakeholders.  — That is the secret of the “sauce”!

ACTUALIZING

With all people involved on-board, you can start making things happen.  Now you get to execute the strategy—taking the action that will enable the goal to manifest.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  Acting is the ticket.  I have read that it is better to have a weak strategy that is well-executed than a great strategy that is never acted upon.  Great ideas without execution never get to see the light of day.  It is highly common to see great plans that never happen.  Be aware of that dog — And don’t let it bite you!

TRACKING

Nothing enables execution more than the tracking progress.  Setting measures and milestones is very important in the accomplishment process!  Setting and keeping a schedule of tracking events is the best approach to successful accomplishment of this important stage.  Having someone responsible to monitor and report key tracking metrics goes a long way in making it happen.   Accountability is critical here.  Those involved must have a clear understanding of the consequences of missing milestones and levels.  Reinforce the positives and support those who fail to meet targets.   Again, people will perform and accomplish their goals to the extent that they understand the rationale, unless things outside their control get in the way.

LEARNING

From my experience I’ve seen that things rarely go according to plan.  A key to success is to recognize, acknowledge and accept this “fact”.  You need to take things as they come and learn from what happens.  The faster failures come the faster you can learn and adjust.  This is very important!

ADJUSTING

The prior two stages provide the raw material for the Adjusting stage.  You should remain nimble and flexible. Be ready to change the strategy at any time as things come up.  While target dates and goal levels should be fairly firm, even that is up for change sometimes.  The key is more about momentum.  If everything remains aligned, and things are progressing forward, it will ultimately happen!  Adjust as necessary to accommodate new realities every day brings.

ACHIEVING

Achievement is the ultimate aim of the process.  At this point you arrive at the effort’s “desired destination” or the aim’s “target”.  If you had a clear goal, accomplishment should be obvious, and it should feel great when you get there!  You’re done — Good job!

CELEBRATING

Celebrations are great!  Acknowledge and recognizing all contributors and when possible offer rewards for their effort.  Contributions go a long way in building a high-accomplishment culture.  Celebrating does not need to be done only at the end.  If the project takes time, celebrate often — It can help keep focus and energy high.

So there you go.  This accomplishment framework has worked well for us, and I hope it will work for you when you apply it also!

Try it!!!

The BEST is Yet to Come!

Epi Torres, CEO