Welcome Baywalk readers to the May edition of Creating Success Viewpoint on Baywalk.com. This month we explore the challenges of getting things accomplished in the current business world. We hope you enjoy our look at the topic: "Getting It Done"

Just do it! Nike has made millions from its shoe and sports equipment merchandise using catchy phrases such as "Just do it." This same phrase has worked its way into the fabric of business life as corporations tell staff to "just do it." If only life were so simple as to click your heels together and everything would be accomplished. WAKE UP DOROTHY!!! This isn't Kansas and we are in 1999. Ever heard the word downsizing? The company is going to "reorganize"! Do more with less! Be efficient! Unfortunately, companies and their leaders can be caught up in the business frenzy and over commit the company and its resources. So, how do we get better at "Getting It Done?"

Corporations, the same as individuals in their personal life, put very little emphasis on the getting it done part of a project. After all, most of the attention and fanfare goes to those that come up with the ideas. The getting it done part is treated like trash collection; a necessary evil that someone has to do. It is this failure to acknowledge the importance of getting it done that undermines the success of many company and individual projects.

Let us look at a simple household project an individual needs to complete. The spouse wants a new faucet installed, buys the product and tells the reluctant mate it is on the honey-do-list. But when are you going to get it done? After work there is TV, softball, men's bible study, and of course work brought home. On Saturdays, mow the grass, trim the trees, play tennis, and wash the cars. Finally, you decide I will do the faucet replacement chore. So you look at the box, take the new faucet out and figure "this looks simple." You get your tool box out and find a wrench that seems to fit and start taking the old faucet apart.

So now you are ready to install the new faucet. In the midst of your concentration, the wife asks you if you can install a couple of towel bars. You stop what your doing and install the towel rods. Now back to your project, you read the instructions and they talk about using "plumbers putty." Of course you don't have any in the house. So with all the parts on the floor, you are off to the hardware store to buy plumbers putty. An hour later your back and starting to install the new faucet. As you are lying upside down, under the sink, you realize that having another pair of hands to help you would be great. Unfortunately, no one is around to help. So you struggle some more and sweat drips in your eye. As you wipe your eye you look at your watch and its 5:00 pm. This is taking longer than you thought and you still need to shower and shave to be ready for dinner at 6:00. Panic starts to set in and the reality that you were not very well prepared for this project. Great idea, poor implementation.

Can you see the similarity between this example and your corporate life? Too many assignments. Not enough time. Not the right tools. Not enough resources. Not having the right things at the right times. Getting it done is easier said, than accomplished.

Many companies and their leaders have realized that getting it done requires more than ruby slippers, a click of the heels and a small dog from Kansas. Therefore, they have chosen to apply project management tools to their projects as one method of ensuring success. Why project management? Because this project tool provides a systematic approach to address issues of accountability, resources, timeframes, dependencies, and project length. It starts the project off right by developing a clear and concise definition of what the project will accomplish. Knowing what you are going to do, helps you know what you are not going to do. Too many projects end in failure because the scope of the project gets so large it is unmanageable. Further, it requires staff to develop a list that incorporates each task that must be completed, then determine how much, what type, who, and when a resource is needed during the implementation process.

Project management promotes efficiency, which is crucial in today's business environment. When resources are short, financing tight, and competition fierce, getting it done takes on an entirely new meaning. Yesterday, getting it done was enough. Today, getting it done means on time, on budget, and with the resources at hand.

How well are you getting it done?

Have a great month!