The six stages of planning when considering a development in your logistics or materials handling operation.

1. Consider the end before the beginning.

Any project that is going to be successful must have clear aims and objectives. Businesses often begin with a sense of purpose then quickly fall into the trap of micro-management and a ‘needs must’ mentality. If your project is going to be successful the aims and objectives must be clear at all times. Questions like, ‘why are we doing this development?’ and ‘What will this adjustment result in?’ must be answerable by all those involved in the process at all times. Keeping the answers to these questions at the top of your list is an absolute must.  

2.Analyse the environment

We all have to consider the environment we are based in. This is linked essentially to resources. What financial resource is there? What human resources are there? What capital resources are there? It’s key to consider this in terms of opportunities. Look around your environment and locate the opportunities for your development. Think, how can we make our development successful considering the environment we are in.

3. Consider your options

Remember not to do this stage first. Many managers will decide they want to develop their system then go straight to google and start searching for options. This often leads to sourcing companies, software or hardware that they are not sure if they even need. Patience is key here. Consider your objectives, your environment, then begin looking for partners, considering those who would best compliment your strengths. Ultimately, those you partner and work with will have a huge influence on the projects success.

4. Plan the project

Sitting down with the partners and suppliers you have considered in stage 3. Plan to your needs, plan to your resources, plan to accomplish stage 1. Each project and each situation is unique. Tailoring your plan to your objectives whilst considering your resources is essential at this stage.

5. Implementation

If the previous 4 steps have been completed carefully, then this stage should run fairly smoothly. However, there is always the opportunity of something unforeseen taking place. This is when it is important to re-plan. Don’t be tempted to fire fight, take care and apply the 5 steps again to the current circumstances.

6. Now evaluate, and learn

Arguably the most important, and most forgotten stage of the planning process. As a business you are aiming to build competitive advantage, become more resourceful and more successful, this is largely dependant on how we learn, and how we develop our operation. Learning from the successes and failures in step 5 will determine the success of the next project, and even the ongoing success of the current project. As with all planning, these six steps are not a one time only, they are a continuous process, how effectively you evaluate and learn, will determine how effectively you carry out steps 1-5 in the next project. Successful learning determines a successful project.