The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work
The doctrine of completed staff work, also known as the "staff principles," is a military concept that involves thorough planning and preparation by a staff before presenting recommendations or decisions to a commander. The goal is to ensure that the commander has all the necessary information and analysis needed to make informed decisions.
In a business organization, the equivalent concept is often referred to as "due diligence" or "business case development." The basic idea is the same: to thoroughly research and analyze a problem or opportunity and present recommendations or decisions to the appropriate decision-maker, with the goal of ensuring that the decision is well-informed and based on all relevant considerations.
One key difference between the military and business contexts is that the military tends to have a more hierarchical and centralized decision-making structure, while business organizations may have a more decentralized and participative decision-making structure. This can affect the way that the doctrine of completed staff work is applied in practice.
Encouraging someone to achieve completed staff work requires a combination of good communication skills, setting clear expectations, and providing necessary support and resources. Here are some steps you can take to help someone achieve completed staff work:
Clearly define the problem or issue: Make sure the person understands the problem or issue they are tasked with solving, and the scope of the work required to address it.
Explain the doctrine of completed staff work: Discuss the importance of thoroughly researching and analyzing the problem, and presenting a well-considered recommendation or solution to a decision-maker, with all necessary information and supporting data included.
Provide guidelines: Give clear guidelines and expectations for the work to be done, including deadlines, the level of detail required, and any specific requirements for formatting or presentation.
Encourage collaboration: Encourage the person to work collaboratively with others, if appropriate, to gather information and insights from a range of perspectives.
Offer feedback and support: Regularly check in with the person and offer feedback and support as needed to ensure they are on track to achieve completed staff work. Provide any necessary resources, such as access to data or tools, to help them complete the work.
Recognize and reward completed staff work: Recognize and reward completed staff work by acknowledging the effort and dedication required to achieve it. This can include praise, promotions, or other forms of recognition and appreciation.
By following these steps, you can help someone achieve completed staff work, which can lead to better decision-making and more successful outcomes for your organization.
