Well it is a Sunday during the NFL playoffs.  My beloved Steelers have been eliminated, but it occurs to me that football can deliver insights for those of us interested in organizational performance. Football teams follow the classic plan-deliver-evaluate model of results based management every week of the season.  Teams carefully manage their inputs (players) as well as outputs(scripted plays) and outcomes (e.g. 3rd down conversions). Huge emphasis is placed on execution of process by eleven interacting employees focused on well understood “desired results”.  Clarity of purpose and clear lines of sight between tasks and results permeate the culture of football.  Adaptable planning that reflects changing circumstances is a must-have during the season and during a game – the much discussed “half time adjustments”.

I guess my point is football and other sports provide us with a useful and fun archetype to think about the performance of our organizations re. process execution, our utilization of measurement tools to set targets, and the shaping the performance culture of our employees and business units.

Enjoy your natchos today and death to the Packers!