These steps have evolved from many sources and many projects.  They apply in Life experiences as well as business situations. I have been told that these steps are obvious and “Common Sense”.  I admit, they are.  But, if they are some common, why don't we see success more frequently?  Somewhere in the course of human events, we have been convinced that “Obvious” solutions can be considered  “Optional” or “Unnecessary”. These words are not interchangeable. 

The fastest road to failure is deceit.  I am not referring to deceit to your co-workers, your boss or your life partner.  I refer to “Believing your own lies”.  Pretending that you are following your goal, your dream, your values, while your actions contradict.  When I see failure, it is usually accompanied by simple confusion and surprise.  "What happened?" or “Why didn’t it work?” or “Why did they let me down?” and so on...  Failure is the risk of success.  It can be confined to acceptable levels. Failure is not acceptable  because “We did the best we could.”

If these steps are too involved for your goal, your goal is too specific or narrowly defined. Be realistic.  No one has the time or resources to DO IT ALL.  We will always have exceptions.  I believe the trick is to know how big the exception must be before further action is required. 

For example, I balance my checkbook regularly.  If adjustments are low (say, below $3.00), I am satisfied and will accept it and no action is required.  If it is larger ($4.00 - $20.00), I will spend some time to resolve the issue.  If the adjustment is extreme ($50.00+), I will not rest until I understand completely.  AND, I will correct my activities that caused it to occur.  This was only an example to show that every activity has a goal (Keep my checkbook balanced) and Relative Performance Measures (“Oh well”, “Ouch” and “No way in Hell”).

Follow the steps and achieve your goals or stop reading because, after all, it is Common Sense …wc

1. Establish the Goal

 “Balance my Checkbook” not “I want to balance to the penny.”  This would take more resources than I am willing to use or set me up for failure.

A. Generalize the purpose

I want to rely on “MY” balance, not the Bank’s balance with minimum effort.

B. Specify the intent

2. Identify the problem / project

Large adjustments every month

A. Why is it a problem / project ?

My spouse and myself

B. Who does it impact ?

3. Set the boundaries (Be Realistic)

Three Bank statements (3 months)

A. Time Frame

No outside Accountant.

1 hour per week (Sat / Sun)

B. Resources available

4. Develop Plan of Attack

- Bouncing Checks

- Little time to allocate to task

A. Primary Concerns

100% of entries. 

(This is unrealistic for larger projects, but most often selected)

B. Sampling targets

1- Log for time spent on checkbook

2- Sum adjustments from statement

C. Methods of data collection

Failure: Adjustments > $20

D. Error limits (Pass / Fail Criteria)

Yell, scream and holler (just kidding).

Discuss methods of centralized collection.

E. Feedback

Yes

F. Does plan fit boundaries ? (If No, go to step 3.  Do not collect $200...)

5. Attack

Log kept

A. Collect data per plan

Adjustment $55 bank statement #1

B. Make corrections

Missing Gas receipt & ATM. Receipts stashed randomly (purse & pants pocket)

C. Identify source of error

Yes – No rules established

1. Policy / Procedure adherence ?

Yes – Create inbox to collect receipts

2. Policy / Procedure change required ?

No

3. Further analysis required ?

6. Review / Completion

Yes

A. Was Plan followed ?

Yes – No adjustments by Statement #3

B. Problem solved ?

(If No, go to 2)

Yes – Time log no longer required.  Will reconsider if time spent creeps or adjustments recur.

C. Goal met ? (If No, go to 1)

7.  Celebrate !!!