Here's how you can excel in your operational planning role with confidence.

Know Your Metrics: Familiarize yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) and what success looks like for your operations. What's the customer need? Understand Processes: Have a solid grasp of your organization’s workflows and how each department interlinks. Avoid siloes! Communication is Key: Establish crystal clear lines of communication to ensure alignment across teams. Prioritize Wisely: Focus on high-impact tasks that drive results while keeping an eye on long-term objectives. Be Ready to Adapt: Confidence grows when you can pivot efficiently in response to changes. 2025 still to master is 'pivoting'. Avoid those paradigm shifts before they happen! Pivot. Disrupt. Transform.

The first step is to know exactly which data is analyzed by management to evaluate your performance and which indicators are most important.-> focus on the two main ones Second step is to check that your direct manager has the same targets. If not try to get yours aligned. -> if not possible, focus on those of your manager Last but not least realize that your performance is not sufficient if your manager grade it as ?not good enough“ and this is always the case when you achieved your targets but she/he hasn’t made it. -> So make her/him achieving her/his targets.

Start by aligning your goals with the overall organizational objectives, ensuring they contribute to the company's vision. Use the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to create actionable targets. Engage stakeholders to gather input, which fosters collaboration and commitment. Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed, based on performance metrics and changing circumstances. This adaptive approach not only helps maintain focus but also builds trust among your team. By clearly communicating these goals, you can empower others to understand their roles in achieving them, boosting overall productivity and confidence.

Define Success: Establish specific, measurable objectives that everyone understands and can work toward. Leaders set the vision! Break It Down: Turn big goals into smaller, actionable steps that can be easily tracked and completed. Look at WBS = work breakdown structures. Set Timelines: Attach realistic deadlines to each goal to keep progress on track. Own the dates! Align the Team: Make sure everyone knows their role in achieving these goals, fostering ownership and accountability. Review and Adjust: Regularly assess progress and adjust as necessary to stay on course. The 'control' aspect is often the hardest, but great leaders know how to inspire and motivate greatness. Be that leader!

If you can set your own goals for your team, make sure they are aligned with the overall company goals but linked to local performance. If your team is not able to recognize their contribution to the achievement of goals, achieving them would be seen as "luck" and no one would focus on the goals. Last but not least ensure that everyone in your team can check each KPI when ever she/he wants on his own and doesn’t need to wait weeks or months to get the results from HQ.

Paula had always prided herself on her ability to juggle multiple projects at work, but as her team's workload increased, she found herself struggling to keep up. One Monday morning, she arrived at the office to find her to-do list stretching endlessly. Feeling overwhelmed, Paula realized she needed a new approach to manage her tasks effectively. She decided to take a step back and prioritize her workload. She carefully assessed each task, identifying which ones were critical to her team's goals. By focusing on the most impactful activities first, Paula found she could make significant progress on important projects while delegating less urgent matters. This new strategy allowed her to guide her team more effectively.

The most important task is to ensure that each team member is able to perform its tasks within normal working hours. Than you have ensure that no one is working ongoing overtime. If you can do this, you will see that your team will also keep an eye on your workload and help you manage it.

Be Clear: Make sure your messages are concise and easy to understand—no one loves deciphering jargon. Make sure your communication connects; achieve that through influence. Choose the Right Channels: Use the best communication tools for your team, whether that’s email, meetings, or project management software. I like Microsoft Teams and various plugins. Listen Actively: Encourage feedback and ensure everyone feels heard, building trust and clarity. Create the safe space and listen with intent. Consistent Updates: Keep everyone informed with regular updates so there are no surprises. Encourage Dialogue: Foster open communication to catch potential issues early and stay aligned. Build a culture of learning to pivot fast.