Potential Problems | Estimated Probability of Occurence | Importance of Impact 1–10 | Actions to Increase Positive Results | Contingency Plan B (Actions if Plan A Fails) |
---|---|---|---|---|
• Not enough time with kids | 100% | 10 | • More quality time during the day; put kids in daycare close to work; have lunch together • Special weekend activities |
• Hire someone to come into home for daycare
-or- • Quit job; live on low-interest loans; finish in two years |
• Fatigue | 100% | 9 | • Eat high-energy food: veggies, fruit, no junk • Exercise with kids |
• Take ginseng and vitamins; no coffee
-or- • Shorter workday -or- • Flextime workweek |
• Lose interest and drop out; self-doubt | 50% | 10 | • Focus on payoffs: increased pay, better lifestyle, college money for kids | • Find a coach at work who will encourage me |
This approach enables you to save time and money, reduce risk, and test the effectiveness of the plan through the use of “safe” environments. These include models, study groups, focus groups, controlled conditions, and representative samplings.