In this video Diana Larsen and Neal Taylor discuss the team’s mission tests, how to facilitate them during a Liftoff, and which activities could follow on if needed.
What are mission tests?
These are tests to help the team know what to look for and when to establish that the team is on the right track to achieving the vision. Essentially: how will we know we’re on the right track in the future? These tests are to get us going to are fairly near-term: so the tests are usually just for the next three months.
How to facilitate during a Liftoff?
Facilitate a discussion with the team about the tests for the next three months – “what do we think we can accomplish?”. By the end of this discussion we want a list (on post-its, for example) of about 3 – 5 tests – not too many because, again, these tests serve to get us going and to ensure we know that we’re on the right track. They also serve to offer learning in the future. Tests are binary, so the outcome will be: did we achieve this mission test or not? The learning comes after reflecting whether the tests were achieved or not.
Potential follow on activities
Following on, facilitators can potentially integrate the following activities depending on team needs and time:
- Look ahead with a wider lens at six months
Further reading
For further information you can also refer to chapter 5 in the book, ‘Liftoff‘.