What Your Project Team Can Learn from Weight Watchers


According to CBS News, over 40 million Americans spend up to $2 billion a year on weight loss programs.  That is big dollars for an industry with minimal scientific research to back the efficacy or safety of their programs.

Weight Watchers seems to be the exception.  Their study, one of the most rigorous of a commercial weight loss program, showed that half of all dieters who reached their goal weight through Weight Watchers were still at least 5% lighter after five years.  According to doctors, that is a big deal in the world of weight loss.

One of the attributes that jumped out to our project post mortem experts was Weight Watchers’ ability to help others set and achieve difficult and elusive goals.  Their proven methodology includes four attributes that can be easily applied to your next project:

  1. Visibility and Accountability.  Sharing goals with people who care raises the performance pressure and odds for success. Don’t keep your goals a secret. The more public your plan, the more realistic and accountable you will be.
  2. Set Clear and Achievable Actions.  Establishing an implementable step-by-step plan for action is a necessity. What will it take to realistically achieve your project goals? Be clear and specific about both success and failure so there is no waffling when things get tough – and they will get tough.
  3. Garner Supporters. Make sure you have backing from the key internal and external stakeholders who matter most. Identify and recruit effective project sponsors, champions, influencers and advocates who can provide the advice, air cover and resources you need to succeed.
  4. Set Clear Milestones and Celebrate Them Along the Way. Some projects reach too far into the future to create the important feeling that you are making positive progress. Be sure to set, measure and celebrate important benchmarks along the way to know that you are on the right path while keeping you and the team engaged.

Learn more at: http://www.lsaglobal.com/project-post-mortem-training-consulting/

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