Strat Plan Worksheet: inspired by the Danaher Method by Tim Cutts (and Hiccup)

This worksheet provides a step-by-step approach to creating a robust, actionable strategic plan inspired by the Danaher Business System (DBS). Focus on your vision, growth pillars, lean thinking, KPI development, and execution.? Inspect, measure, and review weekly; create a culture of problem solving and accountability… and become unstoppable.

Step 1: Start with a Clear, Powerful Vision

Vision Statement

• What is your company's long-term vision (5, 10, or 20 years)? Response:
• What will set you apart in your market? What legacy are you building? Response:

Alignment Check

• Does this vision align with your company’s current direction? Response:

Exercise: Vision Statement Development

Objective: Define your company's vision with clarity and boldness. Steps:

1. Organize a leadership meeting focused entirely on long-term vision.
2. Ensure the vision is visible and referenced in every strategic conversation.

Output: A powerful vision statement guiding your strategic actions.

Step 2: Identify Core Growth Pillars

Growth Opportunities

• What are the top 3 to 5 growth pillars that will drive your vision forward (e.g., innovation, operational efficiency)? Response:

Impact Areas

• Which areas, if improved, will have the greatest business impact? Response:

Exercise: Growth Pillar Development

Objective: Define key growth pillars across departments. Steps:

1. Department heads identify growth opportunities.
2. Find common themes and prioritize key areas for improvement.

Output: A clear list of 3 to 5 growth pillars.

Step 3: Apply Lean Thinking

Process Identification

• Select one key process (sales, marketing, operations) to analyze. Response:

Waste Elimination

• Where is time, resources, or money being wasted? Response:

Efficiency Improvement

• Identify three ways to eliminate these inefficiencies. Response:

Exercise: Lean Audit

Objective: Improve efficiency by cutting waste. Steps:

1. Map out the selected process from start to finish.
2. Highlight wasteful activities and brainstorm elimination strategies.

Output: A lean audit with actionable steps for reducing waste.

?Step 4: Set Actionable KPI’s

Define Success

• What does success look like for each growth pillar? Response:

Key Metrics

• Identify three measurable KPI’s for each growth pillar (e.g., cost per unit, on-time delivery rate). Response:

Ownership

• Who is responsible for tracking and delivering these KPI’s? Response:

Exercise: KPI Development

Objective: Break each growth pillar into measurable KPI’s. Steps:

1. Define three KPI’s per pillar.
2. Assign ownership and create a KPI dashboard for regular updates.

Output: A list of KPI’s with owners and tracking mechanisms in place.

Step 5: Foster Continuous Improvement

Incremental Changes

• What small improvement can be made to an existing process? Response:

Kaizen Events

• Schedule quarterly or monthly Kaizen events. Response:

Impact

• What cumulative gain is expected from these changes? Response:

Exercise: Continuous Improvement Kaizen

Objective: Implement a culture of continuous improvement. Steps:

1. Organize regular Kaizen events to focus on small improvements.
2. Measure and compare cumulative gains at mid and year-end.

Output: A plan for continuous improvement and measurable results.

Step 6: Build Accountability

Accountability Structure

• Who is responsible for hitting each target? Response:

Regular Check-ins

• What mechanism will track progress (e.g., daily or weekly stand-ups)? Response:

Exercise: Ownership & Accountability

Objective: Embed accountability across the organization. Steps:

1. Define who is responsible for each KPI and growth pillar.
2. Set regular check-ins to track progress and address challenges.

Output: A structure for accountability and regular updates.

Step 7: Execute Relentlessly

Daily Actions

• How will daily actions support the strategic plan? Response:

Prioritization

• What are the top priorities for each team member that align with company goals? Response:

Exercise: Daily Stand-Up Meetings

Objective: Create a direct link between strategy and daily execution. Steps:

1. Hold daily 20-minute stand-ups where team members share priorities.
2. Ensure each task contributes to the strategic plan.

Output: Consistent alignment between daily actions and the larger strategic goals.

Conclusion: Turn Strategy into Action

Your strategic plan isn’t just a document, it’s a living roadmap, a battle plan for your company’s success.? It should be reviewed weekly, it ought to be battered and covered in coffee stains and fingerprints. By defining a bold vision and establishing growth pillars, applying lean thinking and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, you will execute relentlessly and achieve sustainable growth.

Tim Cutts is a results- driven executive.? His 30 years of experience in industries like machine vision, motion controls, factory automation, and worker and workplace safety have given him a uniquely broad and deep understanding of strategic growth.? His passion lies in creating organizations and teams; he loves leading value creation and taking share.? He lives in Frisco, Texas with his wife, Kristin.

? 2024 Tim Cutts, All rights reserved