Making Big Dreams Come True: How Simple Rules Help Teams Win

Hi! Welcome to another edition of THE ENGINEER IN ME (TEIM) Newsletter, where you will learn about useful tips and tricks to aid in running your business or project. We are not a business consultant. We are obsessed with optimization and classically trained as engineers and know a thing of two about keeping projects on track through flowing down requirements, tracking progress, and staying focused.

Have you ever tried to build a LEGO castle while your little brother kept knocking it down? That's exactly what happens to big plans at work when we don't have the right system!

I recently finished reading "The 4 Disciplines of Execution" by Chris McChesney, Jim Huling, and Sean Covey. This amazing book shows how teams can actually finish their most important goals, even when everyday emergencies keep getting in the way.

What Are These 4 Special Rules?

The authors share four simple steps that help teams succeed:

1. Focus on what's wildly important

2. Pay attention to lead measures (actions that predict success)

3. Keep a compelling scoreboard

4. Create a rhythm of accountability

What I found super interesting was how these ideas connect with systems engineering and business measurement tools I use every day.

Like Building a Bridge That Won't Fall Down

Systems engineers use something called the "V-model" when designing complicated things like cars or computer programs. First, they plan carefully on paper. Then they build piece by piece, testing each part. Finally, they test the whole thing.

The 4 Disciplines work the same way! You start with your big goal, break it down into smaller actions, track your progress, and keep checking to make sure you're on the right path.

Keeping Score Like a Sports Team

Another cool connection is how the 4 Disciplines use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - which are just fancy ways to measure if you're winning or losing.

When a basketball coach tracks how many passes and shots the team makes, they're using KPIs to know if they're improving. Similarly, businesses use KPIs to see if they're getting closer to their goals.

Why This Matters for Everyone

Whether you're trying to save money for a new bike, learn to play the guitar, or help your company build something amazing, these simple rules can help you succeed:

• Pick ONE super important goal

• Figure out what actions lead to success

• Keep track of your progress

• Check in regularly to stay on track

Next time you have a big dream that seems hard to reach, remember these four simple rules. They might just be the secret map that leads you to buried treasure!

What big goal would you like to achieve using these four special rules?

Thank you for checking out the newsletter. This venture is to help apply my knowledge of systems and project management to solve your problems and optimize your operation. How might we accomplish this? By subscribing to this newsletter, and watching out for future social media and YouTube content to join the conversation and receive some personalized feedback.