It’s time in the annual planning process to start identifying the details—or micro items—that need to be completed in order to achieve your initiatives.
To do this, go to the Initiatives module on the left-hand side. This step applies to companies, departments, teams, or even individuals, so everyone in the organization can take part in the process.
There are a couple of ways to approach this, and over time, you’ll likely find the one that works best for you. Here are two options:
Option 1: Organize by End Date
I like to use the initiative’s end date as a way of setting the target due date. This helps me think in timelines—what will be done in the first quarter, second quarter, or however you break up your year. You’ve had the opportunity to plan this in your annual planning handbook, and you can now copy that into Propel Your Business.
Choose the initiatives you want to complete in Q1 (or the first part of the year). Use the three dots on the right-hand side to edit the initiative and set the target due date. It doesn’t have to be exact, but this organizes which initiatives are prioritized early in the year versus later.
Option 2: Fill in Details First
Start by adding details to initiatives you know are high priority. When you do this, the due date of the last micro item required to complete the initiative will automatically populate the target due date. This naturally prioritizes initiatives in your list.
Once you’ve identified which initiatives to prioritize, you can begin adding detail:
- Click into the initiative.
- Add the specific items needed to complete it.
- Assign each item to a person.
- Add descriptions that define the desired outcome or what “done” looks like.
- Set target due dates, which can also be used to stack and prioritize tasks.
This process also clarifies dependencies—what must be done before something else can start.
Pro Tip:
Get a few micro items entered for each initiative first, then, if it’s part of a department, team, or leadership conversation, bring it to the group to identify additional items.
Using Meetings to Organize and Prioritize
You can also view and prioritize items directly from the meeting where you’re using the roadmap or initiative. All items tied to the initiative will be listed under “Initiatives” in the meeting. Use target due dates and date ranges to organize and ensure everyone knows:
- What happens first
- What depends on another task
- Who is responsible
- When each due date is
This ensures the initiative is completed on time.